3246 ViewsABHA Health Card is one of the most significant components of the Indian digital healthcare ecosystem. It was launched in the framework of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to provide people with one trusted digital identity in health-related services. Think of it as a digital bridge that connects you, your doctors, hospitals, labs, and insurers- while keeping you in control.
An ABHA number is a 14-digit unique health ID that allows your medical records to be stored, accessed, and shared digitally, only with your consent. It does not replace your doctor, hospital, or insurance policy. Instead, it supports smoother healthcare experiences by reducing paperwork and improving access to health information when you need it the most.
This system is voluntary and citizen-centric. You decide how much data to share, with whom, and for how long. That balance between convenience and privacy is what makes ABHA stand out.
ABHA Registration: Everything you need to know about it!
Whenever you do a diagnostic test, you may store the report safely for a few months or a year. Post that, you will usually discard it. You may do the same thing with the medical records after being discharged from a hospital. When regularly or deep cleaning the house, you usually discard many documents, including medical ones. If the old medical records/reports have to be reviewed by a medical professional, they are unavailable as they have been discarded. Many people face this issue. It is one reason why the Government has developed the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) to create India's digital health ecosystem, wherein all medical records will be stored in digital format. In this article, you will learn about the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA), its benefits, and how to create it.
Purpose of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is an initiative started to develop a single digital health infrastructure in India. Its mission is straightforward yet effective: to make healthcare more accessible, transparent, and efficient to each and every person.
Fundamentally, ABDM will focus on integrating various components of the healthcare system, which tend to operate in isolation. Hospitals, clinics, diagnostic centres, pharmacies, and patients are unified on a digital platform.
Key objectives of ABDM include:
- Building a personalised digital health identity for each citizen.
- Facilitating smooth access to health records between providers.
- Lessening the duplication of tests and paperwork.
- Helping to make more informed and faster clinical decisions.
- Enhancing access to healthcare services, particularly in the case of an emergency.
This is not a technological mission. It is concerned with simplifying, speeding up, and making healthcare more patient-centred. ABHA is used to build this greater digital health vision.
How to Create an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA)
Registering for an ABHA Health Card is designed to be flexible. You can choose a method that suits your comfort level and the availability of documents. The process is digital-first but also supported at physical healthcare facilities.
Using Aadhaar Number
This is the most common and straightforward method of ABHA registration. It uses Aadhaar-based authentication to create your health ID.
How it works:
- You enter your Aadhaar number on the official ABHA registration platform
- An OTP is sent to your Aadhaar-linked mobile number
- Once verified, your basic details are fetched automatically
- You can then create your ABHA number and Health ID
Why people prefer this option:
- Faster registration process
- Minimal manual data entry
- Easy verification and authentication
This method is suitable for individuals who already have Aadhaar linked to an active mobile number.
Using a Driving Licence
For those who do not wish to use Aadhaar, ABHA registration can also be done using a Driving Licence in supported regions.
What this option offers:
- Aadhaar-free registration
- Identity verification using an alternative government-issued document
- Suitable for users who prefer not to link Aadhaar
Points to keep in mind:
- Availability may depend on state-level implementation
- Additional verification steps may be required
- Processing time can be slightly longer
This option reflects the voluntary nature of ABHA and respects individual preferences around document usage.
Through Healthcare Facilities
If online registration feels confusing or inaccessible, ABHA registration can also be done at participating hospitals, clinics, and healthcare centres.
Registration support at facilities includes:
- Assistance from trained staff
- On-the-spot verification
- Help in creating and linking your ABHA number
This method is especially helpful for senior citizens, rural populations, or those with limited digital access. It ensures that the benefits of digital healthcare are not restricted to tech-savvy users alone.
Benefits of ABHA
The real value of ABHA lies in how it simplifies healthcare interactions over time. It is not about one hospital visit. It is about building a connected health journey.
Below are the key benefits explained in practical terms.
Easy Access to Medical Records
One of the biggest advantages of ABHA is the ability to store and access medical records digitally.
What types of records can be linked:
- Doctor consultation notes
- Lab test reports
- Diagnostic images
- Prescriptions
- Discharge summaries
Instead of carrying files or searching through old reports, your health data can be accessed digitally when needed. This is especially useful when visiting a new doctor or during emergencies.
Benefits for patients:
- No risk of losing important documents
- Faster consultations
- Better continuity of care
Access is always consent-based. You decide when and with whom your records are shared.
Improved Healthcare Coordination
ABHA helps different healthcare providers work together more effectively. When doctors have access to accurate medical history, treatment decisions become clearer and safer.
How coordination improves:
- Reduced repetition of diagnostic tests
- Better understanding of past treatments
- Fewer medication errors
- Smoother referrals between specialists
For patients managing chronic conditions or long-term treatments, this can make a noticeable difference. Care becomes more aligned, less fragmented, and more personalised.
Secure Digital Health ID
Security and privacy are central to the ABHA framework. Your ABHA number is not a public document. It functions as a secure digital identifier.
Security features include:
| Aspect | How It Helps |
| Consent-based sharing | Data is shared only after your approval |
|
Limited access | Providers can view records only for a defined period |
|
Encrypted systems | Health data is protected against unauthorised access |
| User control | You can revoke access anytime |
This structure ensures that digital convenience does not come at the cost of personal privacy. You stay in control at every step.
How to Opt Out of ABHA
ABHA registration is optional, and the decision not to register is equally critical as the decision to register. The system honours the choice of the individual.
In case you choose not to use your ABHA number any longer, you may deactivate or delete it.
Opt-out options include:
- Temporary deactivation
- ABHA number is permanently deleted.
- Revocation of data sharing consent.
What happens when you opt out:
- Your ABHA number becomes inactive
- Linked health records can no longer be accessed using ABHA.
- Your digital health data cannot be fetched by healthcare providers.
The official platform may be used to initiate the opt-out process, or with the help of healthcare facilities. This flexibility also guarantees that the user is not locked into the system.
Why ABHA Is a Win-Win for All Stakeholders
The ABHA is an excellent initiative by the Government to create India's digital health ecosystem. It helps citizens by allowing them to store all their medical records at a single location and do consent-based sharing. Doctors can access a patient's medical history and decide on the appropriate treatment. Apart from patients and doctors, the digital health ecosystem also benefits other stakeholders like hospitals, diagnostic centres, and the Central and State Governments in decision-making. Thus, it is a win-win for all stakeholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for an ABHA number?
ABHA registration is open for all Indian citizens
For which forms of treatment can ABHA be used?
Along with allopathy treatments, ABHA can be used for AYUSH (Ayurveda, Unani, Homoeopathy) treatments.
Is ABHA registration compulsory?
No, ABHA registration is completely voluntary. There is no legal or regulatory requirement to create an ABHA Health Card. You can access healthcare services, insurance, and treatment without having one.
That said, having an ABHA number can make certain processes smoother. It simplifies record access and improves coordination, but the choice always rests with the individual.
Can doctors or hospitals access my ABHA medical history?
Doctors and hospitals cannot access your ABHA-linked medical history without your consent. Each time data sharing is required, your approval is needed.
You also control:
- Which records are shared
- With which provider
- For how long
Once the consent period ends, access is automatically revoked. This ensures transparency and trust in the system.
Is there any application fee for the ABHA card?
No, there is no application fee for creating an ABHA Health Card. Registration is free of cost, whether done online or through a healthcare facility.
There are no hidden charges, renewal fees, or usage costs associated with maintaining your ABHA number. The initiative is funded by the government to encourage wider adoption of digital healthcare.