What is the Difference Between Abha and Ayushman Cards?

The Ayushman Bharat card and Abha Health ID card are initiatives launched by the government. They share a common objective: improving access to healthcare services for individuals. Both cards rely on the Aadhaar number for identification and verification purposes.

However, it's important to understand that each card serves a unique benefit. To gain a deeper understanding of the distinctions between these two cards, let's explore their differences!

About Ayushman Bharat Digital Health ID Card

The Ayushman Bharat card, also known as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) card, is an initiative implemented by the Indian government with its primary purpose of offering financial protection to economically vulnerable families. It does so by covering their medical expenses. The identification of beneficiaries is based on data from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC).

Cardholders under the Ayushman Bharat scheme have access to cashless secondary and tertiary healthcare services at designated hospitals. The overarching goal of this initiative is to provide healthcare coverage to over ten crore poor and vulnerable families. Each family is entitled to free healthcare services up to a maximum limit of ₹5 lakhs per year. The card provides the following:

• Accessibility to Healthcare: The Ayushman Bharat card aims to assist economically challenged individuals in accessing essential healthcare services.
• Comprehensive Coverage: Each family covered under the scheme is eligible for annual coverage of up to ₹5 lakh, ensuring financial protection against medical expenses. that beneficiaries receive comprehensive medical care when needed.
• Pre and Post-Hospitalisation Costs: The Ayushman Bharat card covers expenses related to three days of pre-hospitalisation and fifteen days of post-hospitalisation care, reducing the financial burden on the beneficiaries.

About ​​ABHA Ayushman Bharat

ABHA, which stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account, was previously known as Health ID. It is a unique 14-digit identification number that is linked to an individual's Aadhaar card. The government of India issues this ID to facilitate access to healthcare benefits and to store medical information in a centralised location digitally. The ABHA Health ID card offers the following:

• Unique and Trustable Identity: It ensures seamless coordination and continuity of care across various healthcare services.
• Unified Benefits: By linking all healthcare benefits, including public health programs and insurance schemes, to your unique ABHA number, the Health ID card provides a unified platform for managing your healthcare needs.
• Easy Access to Medical Information: Through a simple and user-friendly process, the Health ID card enables individuals to access their medical information, including test results, medication prescriptions, and other relevant details.
• Enhanced Doctor-Patient Interaction: When visiting a new physician, patients can easily provide their medical records through the Health ID card. This allows the doctor to gain comprehensive insights into the patient's current illnesses, ongoing treatments, medication history, discharge summaries, test reports, and more.
• Acceptance of AYUSH Treatments: The ABHA card is also accepted at AYUSH treatment institutions, which offer alternative healthcare practices such as Ayurveda, yoga, naturopathy, Unani, and homoeopathy.
• Hassle-Free Access and PHR Sign-Up: The ABHA Health ID card simplifies access to medical information by securely storing all relevant documents in one digital folder. This eliminates the need to carry complete medical records physically and reduces the waiting time for registration at healthcare facilities across the country. It also facilitates easy sign-up for Personal Health Records (PHR) applications, such as the ABHA application, enabling seamless sharing of health data.

ABHA Card vs Ayushman Card

The ABHA Health ID can be seamlessly linked to different health schemes and best health insurance plans, offering individuals the convenience of accessing their medical records, such as lab reports, prescriptions, and diagnoses.

On the other hand, the Ayushman Bharat Yojana card is specifically designed as an e-card to facilitate cashless healthcare services for economically vulnerable families. To gain a better understanding, let's explore the differences in detail:

Final Thoughts

In this article, you have learnt “ABHA Card vs Ayushman Card” and have understood how they differ. This can help you make an informed decision about whether you have to register for the ABHA card or the Ayushman card. Understand how to enrol, what coverage amount you would receive, and whether you are eligible for the scheme or not. If you are still unsure, then you can consult Niva Bupa insurers, and they will help you.