What is Ayushman Bharat Health Account? Step-by-step guide to link it with CGHS ID

Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) is a crucial component of India's flagship health protection scheme, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).

ABHA is a 14-digit number that helps citizens to maintain their medical records digitally. Anyone can enrol in Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and get a health ID or ABHA free of cost. The government said the ID also facilitates cashless transactions under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Ayushman Bharat Health Account: Features

• ABHA facilitates cashless transactions for eligible beneficiaries seeking medical treatment at enrolled healthcare facilities
• It maintains health records digitally
• The accounts can be accessed at enrolled healthcare facilities, which allows beneficiates to take benefit of services regardless of their location
• It monitors the utilisation of funds in real-time
• It enhances transparency and accountability

Ayushman Bharat Health ID: Benefits

• It provides financial support to vulnerable sections by covering healthcare costs under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
• The ID minimises delays and hassles by maintaining electronic health records and facilitating cashless transactions.
• The data insights from ABHA can be used for policy formulation.

The central government employees have to mandatorily link their Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account. The government said that it will integrate CGHS beneficiaries into the country's digital health ecosystem.

"A CGHS beneficiary shall be able to view the generated and linked health records in any of his/her preferred Personal Health Record (PHR) app downloaded on the mobile device. He/She shall be able to carry forward his/her health records from one hospital/Healthcare provider to another in a digitally secured way," the government said.

In the future, a CGHS beneficiary can make an Outpatient Department (OPD) appointment with a doctor by scanning a QR code in front of the doctor's room or registration desk at healthcare facilities, the government said.

How to link CGHS IDs with Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID

• Visit CGHS portal www.cghs.nic.in and log in.
• Under the 'update' tab, click 'create/link ABHA ID'
• Click on 'I don't have an ABHA number'
• Enter Aadhar number
• Accept the Consent Message
• Enter the OTP received on the Aadhaar-linked number.
• If the data matches, your ABHA number will be created and linked to CGHS beneficiary ID.

Ayushman Bharat, offering medical coverage up to ₹5 lakh per family, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.