ABHA Card, also known as Ayushman Bharat Health Account, is a digital health identity created under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) of the Government of India.
An ABHA Number is a 14-digit unique number that connects an individual with the digital health ecosystem. It can be used to link and manage health records such as laboratory reports, prescriptions and vaccination records through compatible digital health services.
ABHA is different from the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY health insurance scheme. ABHA is primarily a digital health identity and health-record management facility, while PM-JAY is a government health assurance scheme.
In this guide, we will explain what ABHA Card is, what an ABHA Number means, how to create ABHA online, documents required, ABHA Card download, ABHA Address, benefits and important points to know.
⭐ What Is ABHA Card?
ABHA stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account.
It is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to create a connected digital health ecosystem.
An ABHA Number is a 14-digit unique number associated with an individual in the digital health ecosystem. The National Health Authority describes it as a number that can connect an individual to the national digital health ecosystem.
The purpose of ABHA is to make it easier for individuals to digitally access and manage their health information.
For example, through compatible ABDM services, a person can link and view health records such as:
- Laboratory reports
- Prescriptions
- Vaccination records
- Other available health records
The ABHA ecosystem also supports the management and sharing of health information through appropriate consent mechanisms.
⭐ What Is an ABHA Number?
An ABHA Number is a 14-digit unique number provided as part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
It acts as a digital health identity through which health records can be connected within the ABDM ecosystem.
The ABHA Number should not be confused with:
- Aadhaar Number
- PAN Number
- Ayushman Card under PM-JAY
- Health insurance policy number
These are different identities or facilities serving different purposes.
ABHA Number at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full form | Ayushman Bharat Health Account |
| ABHA Number | 14-digit unique number |
| Mission | Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission |
| Implementing authority | National Health Authority |
| Main purpose | Digital health identity and health-record management |
| Health records | Can link and manage records through compatible services |
| Digital ecosystem | ABDM |
⭐ What Is the Difference Between ABHA Card and Ayushman Card?
This is one of the most important things to understand.
ABHA Card and Ayushman Card are not the same thing.
ABHA Card
ABHA is associated with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission and provides a digital health identity through an ABHA Number.
Its purpose includes connecting and managing digital health records within the ABDM ecosystem.
Ayushman Card
The Ayushman Card is associated with Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and relates to eligibility and benefits under that health assurance scheme.
Therefore, having an ABHA Number should not be interpreted as automatically receiving PM-JAY insurance benefits.
| Feature | ABHA | Ayushman Card |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Ayushman Bharat Health Account | PM-JAY beneficiary card |
| Main purpose | Digital health identity | Health assurance scheme beneficiary identification |
| Related programme | ABDM | PM-JAY |
| Main use | Connecting/managing digital health records | Accessing eligible PM-JAY benefits |
| Same as the other? | No | No |
The National Health Authority is responsible for implementing both ABDM and PM-JAY, but they are separate digital health and health assurance initiatives.
⭐ Who Can Create an ABHA Card?
The official ABDM material provides facilities for citizens to create an ABHA.
ABHA can be created using Aadhaar and a mobile number through the official ABHA facility. The ABDM brochure states that no additional document is required for this method and that Aadhaar number and mobile number are sufficient.
The official material also describes other ways of creating ABHA, including through supported apps and by visiting an ABDM-registered health facility.
⭐ How to Create ABHA Card Online?
You can create your ABHA through the official ABHA platform.
Step 1: Open the Official ABHA Website
Visit the official ABHA website provided by the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
The official ABHA platform is operated under the ABDM ecosystem.
Step 2: Start ABHA Creation
Follow the available option to create your ABHA.
The official ABDM information states that ABHA can be created using an Aadhaar number and mobile number.
Step 3: Enter Aadhaar Details
Provide your Aadhaar number when prompted.
The Aadhaar-based process uses authentication to verify the details.
Step 4: Verify Mobile Number
Enter the mobile number and complete the required OTP verification.
The official ABDM material identifies Aadhaar number and mobile number as the key requirements for instant ABHA creation.
Step 5: Create Your ABHA
After the required verification is completed, follow the instructions displayed on the official ABHA portal to create your ABHA.
You will receive your 14-digit ABHA Number.
Step 6: Create or Select ABHA Address
Depending on the facility available through the platform, you can create or select an ABHA Address associated with your ABHA ecosystem account.
The ABHA Address is designed to provide a convenient digital identifier for health-record related interactions.
⭐ Documents Required to Create ABHA
The official ABDM brochure states that for creating ABHA through the Aadhaar-based method, no additional document is required and that an Aadhaar number and mobile number are sufficient.
Basic Requirements
| Requirement | Needed |
|---|---|
| Aadhaar Number | Yes, for Aadhaar-based creation |
| Mobile Number | Yes |
| Additional document | Not required for the Aadhaar-based method |
| OTP verification | Required as applicable |
Other methods of ABHA creation are also available through supported applications and ABDM-registered health facilities.
⭐ How to Create ABHA Without Aadhaar?
The official ABDM material describes multiple ways to create ABHA.
Apart from the Aadhaar-based method, ABHA can also be generated through:
- ABHA App
- Other supported applications
- ABDM-registered health facilities
The official ABDM brochure specifically mentions the ABHA app, Aarogya Setu and other supported apps, as well as creation through an ABDM-registered health facility.
The exact authentication method can depend on the option you choose.
⭐ What Is ABHA Address?
An ABHA Address is a digital address associated with the ABHA ecosystem.
It is designed to make digital health information exchange more convenient.
The ABDM ecosystem is built around the ability to connect health records with the individual’s digital health identity and manage access to those records through appropriate consent.
An ABHA Number and ABHA Address therefore serve different purposes within the digital health ecosystem.
ABHA Number vs ABHA Address
| Feature | ABHA Number | ABHA Address |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | 14-digit unique number | Digital health address |
| Purpose | Identifies the individual in ABDM | Helps with digital health interactions |
| Main use | Connecting health records | Sharing/access-related digital interactions |
| Ecosystem | ABDM | ABDM |
⭐ What Are the Benefits of ABHA Card?
ABHA is designed to provide a digital way of managing health information.
Some of the important features described by ABDM include the ability to:
1. Connect Health Records
Health records can be linked with the ABHA identity through compatible ABDM services.
2. View Health Records
The ABHA ecosystem supports viewing health records such as laboratory reports, prescriptions and vaccination records.
3. Manage Health Records
The official ABHA app is described as a personal health record application that allows citizens to link, view and manage health records.
4. Share Records Through Consent
ABDM’s digital health ecosystem is designed around consent-based access to health information. The official ABDM material states that health records are accessed across systems and stakeholders only with the informed consent of the individual.
5. Digital Access to Health Information
Instead of depending entirely on physical documents, compatible digital health services can allow an individual to access health information digitally.
⭐ What Health Records Can Be Linked With ABHA?
The official ABDM material gives examples of health records that can be linked, viewed and managed through the ABHA ecosystem.
These include:
- Laboratory reports
- Prescriptions
- Vaccination certificates
- Other available health records
The availability of a particular record depends on whether the relevant healthcare provider or service participates in the ABDM ecosystem and whether the record has been digitally linked.
⭐ How Does ABHA Help in Managing Health Records?
The ABDM digital health ecosystem is designed to connect health information across participating healthcare systems.
The individual’s Personal Health Record facility can support functions such as:
- Creation of Health ID
- Discovery of health information
- Linking health records
- Viewing health records
- Managing consent
The official ABDM information describes the Personal Health Record system as allowing an individual to manage healthcare information and view longitudinal health information across participating health facilities.
⭐ Is ABHA Card Free?
The official ABDM material provides the process for creating ABHA but does not state a general fee for creating an ABHA Number through the official process.
The official ABHA brochure describes instant ABHA creation using Aadhaar number and mobile number without requiring an additional document.
If any third-party service provider asks for a service charge, verify whether that charge is for an additional service rather than assuming that it is an official ABHA creation fee.
⭐ How to Download ABHA Card?
After creating your ABHA, you can access your ABHA details through the official ABHA platform and supported ABDM services.
The exact options shown may depend on the current portal interface.
The official ABHA portal is:
The ABHA ecosystem also provides the ABHA App, which is described by the National Health Authority as a personal health viewer application for maintaining health records in one place.
⭐ What Is the ABHA App?
The ABHA App is a personal health record application associated with the National Health Authority and ABDM.
According to official ABDM information, the app can help citizens:
- Link health records
- View health records
- Manage health records
- Share records with registered healthcare professionals
- Search for registered healthcare professionals and health facilities
The ABHA App is therefore different from simply having a printed ABHA card. Its purpose is connected to managing digital health information.
⭐ How Does ABHA Protect Health Information?
ABDM’s digital health ecosystem is designed with privacy, confidentiality and consent mechanisms.
The official ABDM information states that health records are intended to be accessed across healthcare systems and stakeholders with the informed consent of the patient.
The ABDM privacy policy also describes mechanisms through which personal information can be collected and authenticated using methods such as mobile OTP and Aadhaar OTP.
Therefore, ABHA should not be understood as simply making all medical records publicly available.
⭐ Can ABHA Be Used at Hospitals?
ABHA is part of the ABDM ecosystem, which includes participating healthcare facilities.
The ABDM ecosystem includes hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies and other healthcare entities that participate in the digital health network.
When a healthcare facility is participating in the ABDM ecosystem and supports the relevant digital health services, health records can be linked and managed through the applicable ABHA-related services.
⭐ Can ABHA Store Old Medical Records?
ABHA is designed to support the linking and management of digital health records.
However, having an ABHA Number does not automatically mean that every old medical record has already been added to your account.
Records need to be digitally generated, linked or made available through participating healthcare providers and compatible ABDM services.
The official ABDM description specifically refers to the ability to link health records with a Health ID and view them through the Personal Health Record system.
⭐ ABHA Card and Aadhaar Card Difference
Aadhaar and ABHA have completely different purposes.
| Feature | Aadhaar Card | ABHA |
|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Identity identification | Digital health identity |
| Issuing authority | UIDAI | National Health Authority under ABDM |
| Number | Aadhaar Number | 14-digit ABHA Number |
| Main sector | General identity services | Healthcare |
| Health records | Not designed as a health-record system | Designed to connect/manage digital health records |
| Same document? | No | No |
Aadhaar may be used for authentication while creating ABHA, but ABHA itself is a separate digital health identity. The official ABDM material identifies Aadhaar as one of the methods used to create ABHA.
⭐ ABHA Card and Health Insurance Difference
ABHA should not be treated as a health insurance policy.
ABHA is a digital health identity under ABDM. It helps connect and manage health information.
Health insurance provides coverage according to the terms and conditions of the relevant insurance policy or government health assurance programme.
Similarly, ABHA should not automatically be considered proof of eligibility for PM-JAY benefits.
⭐ Important Points About ABHA Card
Before creating or using ABHA, remember these important points:
- ABHA stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account.
- ABHA is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.
- An ABHA Number is a 14-digit unique number.
- ABHA is a digital health identity, not the same as an Ayushman PM-JAY card.
- Aadhaar and mobile number can be used to create ABHA through the Aadhaar-based method.
- The official ABDM material also describes other creation methods.
- ABHA can help connect and manage digital health records.
- Health records can include laboratory reports, prescriptions and vaccination records.
- Digital health information is designed to be shared through appropriate consent mechanisms.
- The ABHA App is a personal health record application from the National Health Authority.
- Not every medical record is automatically added to ABHA.
- The availability of digital records depends on participating healthcare providers and ABDM services.
⭐ Official ABHA Portal and Helpline
For ABHA-related services, it is better to use official Government of India platforms rather than unofficial websites.
Official ABHA Portal
Create or Access ABHA – Official Portal
ABDM Official Website
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission – Official Website
The official ABDM material lists 14477 as the toll-free number associated with ABHA/ABDM information.
⭐ Conclusion
ABHA Card, or Ayushman Bharat Health Account, is a digital health identity created under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission. Its 14-digit ABHA Number is designed to connect an individual with the national digital health ecosystem.
Through compatible ABDM services, ABHA can help users link, view and manage digital health records such as laboratory reports, prescriptions and vaccination records. The system is also designed around consent-based sharing of health information.
ABHA is not the same as an Ayushman PM-JAY Card, Aadhaar Card or health insurance policy. It is primarily a digital health identity and record-management facility.
For more information about ABHA Card, ABHA Number, online health services and other government digital services, visit Sarkari Bakery.
⭐ Frequently Asked Questions About ABHA Card
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