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1 Crore Health Plans starting @₹18/day*.
We pay 100% of your hospital bills
From syringes to surgeries
No limit on hospital room rent
No compromises on recovery
Digitisation has revolutionised the way we transact and do business in India. And, the healthcare ecosystem is not far behind in embracing technology and digitised healthcare. In an effort to digitise the healthcare system in the country, the Central Government has launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) or National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). The mission’s objective is to issue digital health ID cards for all citizens in the country and to help hospitals, insurance providers, and health ID cardholders access health records online in a secure and safe environment. Through this article, you learn how to apply for a digital health ID online and its benefits.
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Overview of a Digital Health ID CardHow does NDHM work?India Health CardWhat is ABHA?ABHA Health Card UsesWhat are the Benefits of Creating Your ABHA ID?How to Apply for a Health ID Card Online?Documents required for Health IDWhy Choose ACKO for Creating Your Health ID?Digital Health ID Card RegistrationThrough the ACKO websiteHow to Download a Digital Health ID Card Online?How to Deactivate My Health ID Card?Who Should Create a Health ID Card?Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)Recent news on Digital Health ID & ABHA CardThe digital health ID in India is now known as ABHA, or Ayushman Bharat Health Account, under the NDHM (National Digital Health Mission) program. It was formerly only called the Health ID. Like an Aadhaar card, but specifically for medical data, ABHA functions as a unique identification number. It assists you in digitally storing all of your medical data in one location, including test results, medications, doctor consultations, and medical history.
| What is a Digital Health ID card? | The Digital Health ID is a randomly generated unique 14-digit number utilised for identifying individuals, verifying them, and accessing their health records (only with their consent) across different healthcare stakeholders and systems. |
| Who can apply for a Digital Health ID card? | Anyone interested in creating a Digital Health ID and wishes to have their medical records available electronically should create a digital ID card. |
| How to apply for the Digital Health ID card | The health ID is created by using a person’s basic details and Aadhaar or mobile number. Through this digital ID, cardholders have the option to link all of their health records digitally. |
| How does a Digital Health ID card work? | The card enables the cardholder to interact with verified health service providers and healthcare professionals and receive medical prescriptions, lab reports, and diagnoses. |
A key component of the Government of India's NDHM (National Digital Health Mission) plan is the Digital Health ID Card. The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card is the new name for it. Everyone benefits from this card's ability to simplify and organise healthcare. Your health can be identified digitally with the help of the Digital Health ID Card. It keeps all of your medical records in one location, including doctor visits, prescription drugs, test results, and medical reports. This data is available at any time, and you can share it with medical professionals if necessary.
Here are the main functions of the NDHM.
Creating a Digital Health Ecosystem
The Indian government launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) program to create a national digital health system. Its primary objective is to use digital technology to make healthcare more accessible, organised, and easy for everyone. Your health information is securely shared and stored on the NDHM, which functions similarly to a large online network. It makes everything more effective and convenient by digitally connecting patients, physicians, hospitals, and health services
India health card is called the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA). The ABHA ID is a special 14-digit identifying number that is on the ABHA card. The ABHA ID contains the whole medical history, consultation information, and medications. The National Health Authority's (NHA) Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), a digital healthcare project, is in charge of managing this card. It seeks to establish, advance, and fortify India's healthcare system. ABHA is a leading step in facilitating health programs around the country as part of its aim.
What exactly is an ABHA account? Well, as of September 27th, 2021, the Indian Government initiated the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Mission (ABDM). The mission's aim? To provide every Indian with a digital health ID, known as the Ayushmann Bharat Health Account ABHA Card. Imagine it as a 14-digit superpower, granting you access to your medical records anytime, anywhere across India. Now, sharing your health information with doctors across the nation becomes effortless, regardless of the distance.
Knowing how to use an ABHA card and why you should get one for yourself are crucial. There are several health card uses. The primary advantage, though, is that it keeps all of your medical records and reports in one digital location—that is, your Ayushman Bharat Health Account.
Below are some more ABHA health card uses:
With an ABHA card, you get the option to link your PHR with the digital health ID to generate long-term health history. Here are more benefits of the NDHM ID card.
Say bye to the headaches of sorting out the hassle of managing physical health records. Through ABHA you can store all your documents digitally in one place. These documents may include hospital records, laboratory diagnostics and health insurance details. Moreover, your data is secured and you are the only one who has access.
You can not only store but easily share your health records as well. Simply allow access to your healthcare providers and they can view your documents in a secure manner, thereby saving you time and effort.
By linking your insurance policy to your ABHA ID, hospitals can get your policy information swiftly, making cashless claims approval process easy and ensuring hassle-free healthcare experience.
The UHI initiative is a part of the national plan that aims at using technology to enhance the healthcare system in the country. It tries to fix the problems in healthcare by making it more accessible, affordable, and of higher quality. Through a unified platform that brings everything together, the UHI aims to fill the gaps in healthcare, to make sure that patients are cared for at priority.
There is no need for the submission of physical documents to apply for the digital health ID card. You need to provide any of the following IDs to generate your health ID.
Eligibility Criteria:
Anyone who wishes to participate in the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is eligible to apply for the health ID. There are no specific criteria to generate a health ID card.
With ABHA, you can easily get your health ID card. The process is as easy as it can be. Just use the ACKO app and you will find your ABHA ID ready in just a few clicks. However, what is the process of smoothing even more? That is where ACKO comes into play.
ACKO isn't any insurance company – it's your best friend, who will always be available when you need them. We are aware that your time is precious, therefore the ABHA ID creation process within our app has been made simple and easy to use. Fast, intuitive, and reliable – that is what ACKO stands for.
And it doesn't even stop there. ACKO will make every effort to ensure that you have the best digital experience in health care. Ranging from the seamless claims processing, round-the-clock support and other healthcare-related services that you need, we have you covered every time.
You can generate your digital health ID card by using your Aadhaar, Driving Licence or mobile number.
Here are the two ways in which you can create your ABHA account from ACKO.
Take a look at the following steps to create your ABHA account through the ACKO app.
Now you can view and download your ABHA card. To create a new one, follow this process.
You can also invite your family members or friends to create an ABHA account. You should add some details as shown in the following image and we will send them an invitation.
The ABHA card will be ready for download in a few seconds. Repeat the process for other members.
Here are the steps to create your ABHA account via the ACKO website.
Step 1: On the website, look for the widget or a form similar to the following image
Complete the remaining steps from the ACKO app. It is way faster!. Please scroll up to Step 2 (app process) for completing the registration.
Here are the steps to apply online for an NDHM health card 2021 through your Aadhaar number.
Step 1: Visit the NDHM official website (https://abdm.gov.in/) and select “Generate ID”.
Step 2: Select “Generate via Aadhaar”, and enter your Aadhaar number on the new page and click on submit.
Step 3: An One Time Password (OTP) is sent to your registered mobile number that needs to be entered in the required field.
Step 4: Enter your personal information and choose a username and password to create your digital ID.
Step 5: Log into your account with the newly created username and password again, and provide your address.
Step 6: Download your digital health ID card for future reference.
Here are the steps to apply online for an NDHM health card 2021 through your Driving Licence (DL).
Step 1: Visit the NDHM official website (https://abdm.gov.in/) and select “Generate ID”.
Step 2: Select “Generate via Driving Licence”. A popup window informs you that once you submit the details, you will receive an enrolment number.
You need to take your enrolment number to a nearby participating facility and get your digital health ID. However, if you need the health ID immediately, you can generate the ID through your Aadhaar number.
If you don’t want to use your Aadhaar or DL to generate your health ID card, you can still generate the digital health ID via your mobile number.
Step 1: Visit the NDHM official website (https://abdm.gov.in/) and select “Generate ID”.
Step 2: There is an option to generate the health ID if you don’t have any IDs or don’t want to use IDs. Select “Click here”.
Step 3: Enter your mobile number to generate an OTP, and enter the OTP in the required field.
Step 4: Enter your personal information and choose a username and password to create your digital health ID.
Step 5: Log into your account with the newly created username and password and provide your address.
Step 6: Download your digital health ID card for future reference.
Once you have successfully registered yourself for the health ID, you can download the digital health ID card. Here are the steps to download the health ID card online.
Log in to your account through the website or mobile app, use your health ID number and date of birth, and click on submit.
Select your ID card and click on “Download Health ID Card” to download your ID card.
The health ID card is voluntary, and you can also opt out of the programme and reactivate it when required. Here are the steps to deactivate/delete digital health ID.
Step 1: Log in with your health ID or PHR and your date of birth and click on submit.
Step 2: You need to generate an OTP with your Aadhaar or mobile number or use the password you set to log in to your account.
Step 3: Post login, click on “My Account” and select “Deactivate/Delete Health ID” (Deactivation of health ID is temporary, and your account will not be closed; however, you can choose to delete the health ID) and click on “Continue” to delete or deactivate your health ID.
If you resonate with any of the following scenarios, creating a Health ID is a smart move.
Have you made an ABHA/Health ID already? Now you will be able to take advantage of the services early on. The authority may soon make it mandatory to create ABHA, just like Aadhaar or Pan Card.
Be the one to take the lead by proactively creating your ABHA number. Through this, you will be ready to take advantage of ABHA in the future, and will not be left behind in the digital health revolution of India.
Your ABHA or Health ID is a key to unlocking the opportunities for becoming a part of the digital healthcare revolution. This is more beneficial as major hospitals like AIIMS are already adapting their systems to ABHA as a mandatory requisite for availing healthcare.
Is your hospital ABHA-enabled? Using an ABHA or Health ID, you can collect all your hospital documents in a Personal Health Record (PHR) app. It's a quick way to keep track of your information and treatments related to your medical history.
Written by
Roocha Kanade
Content Architect
Health Insurance content enthusiast who turns complex topics into easy, binge-worthy reads—fueled by SEO, creativity, and way too much chai! Loves juggling multiple projects, cracking impossible deadlines, and sprinkling humor into the mix. When not geeking out over digital trends, you'll find her lurking on Quora and Reddit, planning the next getaway, or passionately decoding all things health and insurance!
Reviewed by
Dr Nitin Kumar Gupta
SVP – Health Underwriting & Claims at Acko General Insurance
SVP – Health Underwriting & Claims at Acko General Insurance — With 20+ years of experience driving digital transformation and profitable growth, I am a seasoned Senior Insurance Executive specialising in Health, Life, Accident, and Disability insurance. Backed by an MBBS degree and advanced insurance designations (FLMI, FALU, FLHC, ACS, ARA), I bring a unique blend of medical expertise and deep insurance-domain leadership. My core strength lies in optimising underwriting and claims operations, enabling automation-led scalability for both large insurers and digital-first startups.
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