Digital Health ID Card: How to Apply Online, Check Registration and Benefits?

The affordable internet and smartphone penetration in India has transformed how we conduct our daily transactions. From purchasing groceries from the comfort of our homes to uploading essential documents with a simple click, many things have changed significantly in recent years. Amidst these changes, the healthcare system has also undergone a remarkable transformation. 
 

The government, promoting the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, has launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM). The primary objective of this mission is to digitise health records to improve the accessibility and affordability of medical-related services through digital health ID cards. Let us understand this mission and health ID card in detail.

What Is a Digital Health ID Card?

A digital health ID card, or an ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) Health ID Card, is a unique 14-digit health identification series for every Indian citizen. It works as your health account and stores all relevant health information, including but not limited to your past medical conditions, treatments and diagnosis. This record is accessible only after your authorisation.

Who Can Apply for a Digital Health ID Card?

Anyone who is an Indian citizen can apply for a digital health ID card. You do not need to pay any fee or charges to create your digital health ID card. You can also opt out of the scheme at any time if you wish to do so.

How Does a Digital Health ID Card Work?

Your digital health ID card is key to your digital healthcare journey. It establishes a unique and trustable identity for you across different healthcare providers and payers within the healthcare ecosystem. It links all your healthcare benefits, from public health programmes to health insurance schemes to your unique ABHA number. 

How To Apply for a Digital Health ID Card?

You can apply for a digital health ID online through the official website of NDHM or the ABDM app. You can also visit any nearby healthcare facility registered under NDHM and get your digital health ID card created there.

Benefits of Digital Health ID Card

A digital health ID card offers you many benefits that can improve your health and quality of life.
 

• Saving time and money: You don’t have to carry physical copies of your medical documents or visit multiple hospitals to get them. Simply share your digital health ID with any health service provider and get your records instantly.

• Ensuring privacy and security: Your health records are stored in a secure cloud platform and encrypted with your consent. You can decide on who can access your documents and for how long. You can also revoke the access anytime.

• Getting better healthcare: With a digital health ID card, you can get personalised and holistic healthcare from verified doctors and hospitals. You can also access preventive health services, telemedicine, and e-pharmacy through the digital platform.

• Availing benefits of government schemes: A digital health ID card can also help you avail the benefits of various government schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), which provides free health insurance to eligible beneficiaries.

How Does the National Digital Health Mission Work?

The NDHM is a government initiative to create a digital health ecosystem in India. It aims to provide universal health coverage, citizen-centric services, quality of care, and accountability for performance.
 

The NDHM works by creating a unique health ID for every citizen. You may use it to access and share your health records digitally. The health ID is linked to a health account with a self-declared username that enables you to control who can access your health data. Using the ABHA application, a consent manager facilitating health data exchange, you can create a health account using the ABHA application.
 

The NDHM also provides other digital services, such as health registries, e-pharmacy, telemedicine, and personal health records. These services are open, interoperable, and standards-based digital systems that ensure health-related personal information security, confidentiality, and privacy. The NDHM aims to bridge the gap between different healthcare ecosystem stakeholders, such as healthcare providers, payers, researchers, and citizens.

Pillars Of National Digital Health Mission 

There are five pillars of NDHM. The first is health ID online, and the others are listed below:
 

• Personal health records

  This is a comprehensive and longitudinal record of your health history. It includes medical conditions, treatments, tests, immunisations, allergies, and more. You can access this record using your health ID online.

• Digi doctor

  This digital platform allows doctors and other health professionals to register and provide services online. It also lets them access and update their patients’ health records, prescribe medicines, refer cases, and consult with other doctors.

• Health facility registry

  This is a repository of all the health facilities and providers in the country, including hospitals, clinics, labs, pharmacies, and more. It helps in finding and accessing the best healthcare services near you. It assists the government in monitoring and regulating the quality and standards of healthcare delivery.

• E-pharmacy and telemedicine

  These digital platforms allow you to buy medicines online and consult with doctors remotely. They offer convenience, choice, and cost-effectiveness. They also ensure the safety and quality of drugs and health services.

How To Apply for NDHM Health ID Card Registration Online?

To proceed with NDHM health ID card online registration, you can use your Aadhaar, Driving Licence or mobile number. Here are the steps for each option:
 

1. Via Aadhaar:

   Visit the NDHM official website and select “Generate ID”.
    

   • Select “Generate via Aadhaar”

   • Enter your Aadhaar number and click on submit.

   • An OTP will be sent to your mobile number linked with Aadhaar. Enter the OTP and verify your identity.

   • You will see your details, such as name, gender, date of birth, etc. 

   • Click on ‘Download ABHA number card’ for future reference.
      

2. Via Driving Licence:

   • Visit the NDHM official website. 

   • Select “Generate ID”

   • Select “Generate via Driving Licence”, enter your licence number on the new page, and click submit.

   • You will receive an enrolment number, a temporary identifier for your request.

   • You must visit the nearest ABDM participating facility and carry your Driving Licence. The facility staff will then verify your identity.

   • Once verified, you will receive your ABHA number and address via SMS or email.
      

3. Via mobile number:

   • Visit the NDHM official website

   • Select “Generate ID”

   • Select “Generate via Mobile Number, “enter your mobile number on the new page, and click submit.

   • An OTP will be sent to your mobile number. Enter the OTP and verify your identity.

   The remaining steps are the same as with the driver’s licence.

Documents Required & Eligibility Criteria for NDHM Registration

To apply for NDHM registration, you need to have any one of the following documents as your identity proof:
 

• Aadhaar Card

• Driver’s Licence

• Mobile number

You also need to have a valid mobile number that is registered with your identity proof document. You do not need to submit any other documents or proofs for NDHM registration.
 

The qualifying criteria for NDHM registration are simple. You only need to be an Indian citizen and possess all the necessary documents.

How To Download My Digital Health ID Card Online?

You can download your digital health ID card online from the official website of NDHM or the ABDM app. Here are the steps involved:
 

• Log in to your ABHA account using your username and password.

• Click on the “My Health ID” option on the dashboard.

• Your digital health ID card will be displayed on the screen. You can also view your QR code, ABHA number and ABHA address on it.

• Click on the “Download” or “Print” option to save or print your digital health ID card.

How Do I Deactivate My Health ID Card?

Here are the steps to do so:
 

• Visit the National Digital Health Mission's official website

• Scroll down to the health ID section and click Manage Health ID.

• Enter your health ID and OTP to log in to your account.

• On the dashboard, click on the Deactivate/Delete Health ID option.

• Choose whether you want to deactivate or delete your health ID permanently.

• Next, provide the reason for your request and confirm it.

• You will receive a confirmation notification on your email address and registered mobile number.

Conclusion

The digital health ID card is a game-changer for India’s healthcare system. It offers several perks, such as easy access to your health records, unified benefits from various healthcare schemes, personalised and preventive healthcare services, and more. It also ensures the privacy and security of your health data through encryption and authentication. 
 

You can easily apply for a digital health ID card online through three methods: via Aadhar, Driver’s Licence or Mobile Number. You can also download or print your digital health ID card online from the official website of NDHM or the ABDM app. You can opt out of the scheme anytime by deactivating your health ID card. 
 

So, what are you waiting for? Create your digital health ID card today and join India’s digital healthcare ecosystem. You may consider buying a life insurance plan to supplement the health ID card benefit.