ABHA Health Card: What is Ayushman Bharat Health Account?

Health Insurance for the Poor

A mark of any developed nation is the access to healthcare facilities. Everybody in society, irrespective of their financial condition, should have access to at least basic healthcare facilities. The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Yojana was launched in 2018, for this very reason.

The ABHA health card is a key component of the scheme and in this blog, we will discuss how to make an Ayushman Bharat card or ABHA card.

What is Ayushman Bharat Health Account?

The Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) aims to provide basic healthcare benefits to over 10 crore families across India. About 50% of the Indian population qualifies for this scheme. It provides access to a maximum of ₹5 lakhs per year  Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries can avail of cashless treatment for secondary and tertiary health care.

One of the ways it does this is through the Ayushman Bharat Health Account. This is why it’s so important to know what is Ayushman Bharat Health Account. It enables account holders to access cashless treatment at any of the empanelled hospitals under the scheme.

As of March 2023, more than 4.48 crore people under PM-JAY have been admitted to hospitals. You can imagine the logistics of implementing a scheme of this magnitude.

How can anyone keep track of such a system?

How can you ensure that you get access to the right medical facilities at the right time?

This is where your Ayushman Bharat Health Account Number or your ABHA number comes into play. It is a 17-digit number issued when you sign up under this scheme and get registered. You can use this to track your account and the progress of your claims. You can also use this card to get access to cashless hospitalisation and secondary treatment facilities. This is why you need to know how to apply for an Ayushman Bharat health card.

Since its inception, a total of 23.53 crore Ayushman cards or ABHA cards have been issued by the National Health Authority of India.

How to make an Ayushman Bharat Card?

Now in the past, most insurance-related processes were very technical. Not anymore, though. The best example of this is the process of how to make an Ayushman Bharat card. 

You can apply for the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card quite easily from the comfort of your home. It can be done both online and offline at your convenience.

Just follow these steps to learn how to make Ayushman Bharat Card online:

1. The first step is to log onto the official website of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) - https://pmjay.gov.in/.
2. Click on the “Am I Eligible” option on the home page. Enter your mobile number and the Captcha code. After entering the details, click on 'Generate OTP.'
3. You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP and click on “Submit.”
4. Once you have submitted the form, your eligibility is checked. If you are eligible for the scheme, you can proceed right ahead with the registration.
5. Enter the details about your identity, your family’s medical history, and your current medical condition. This information will be used to create your profile and generate your Ayushman Bharat Health Card. Click on “Submit.”

Your Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) Card with a 17-digit unique ID number will be sent to your registered mobile number, and you can also download it from the website.

If you want to know how to make an Ayushman Bharat card offline, you will simply need to visit a Common Service Centre (CSC) or Ayushman Bharat - Health and Wellness Centre. Provide your identity details and medical details along with your Aadhaar card, voter ID card, and other required documents.

It must be clear by now that process of how to make an Ayushman Bharat card is not difficult at all. But is it worth it?

What are the Benefits of the ABHA card?

This is the main reason why you should understand how to make an Ayushman Bharat card. The benefits can make a significant difference.

1. Cashless treatment: You can avail of cashless treatment at any of the empanelled hospitals under the scheme.
2. Coverage for secondary and tertiary care: It covers up to ₹5 lakhs per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. This includes expenses like surgery, medicines, and diagnostics.
3. Wide coverage: It covers over 10 crore families across India, making it one of the largest healthcare schemes in the world.
4. No age limit: Even senior citizens can avail of its benefits.
5. No restriction on pre-existing conditions: The scheme covers pre-existing conditions, which is a significant advantage for people with chronic illnesses.

Conclusion

Health insurance can make a huge difference in the quality of life. The relief of not having to live with tension about your medical expenses — everyone should experience it. PM-JAY and the ABHA card have made significant strides in this field.

You should make sure to get health insurance for yourself. If COVID has taught us one thing, it is this — don’t take anything for granted. Whether you need to know how to apply for an Ayushman Bharat Health card or how to choose a health insurance policy — make sure you don’t delay. Get your health coverage today!

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