Is the ABHA Card a health insurance card like the Ayushman Card?

No, this is the most common confusion. The ABHA Card is a Digital Health ID used to store your medical records digitally in one place. The Ayushman Card is a health insurance card that provides a ₹5 lakh cashless treatment cover. They are two completely different cards with different purposes.

Is it mandatory to have an ABHA Card?

No, creating an ABHA card is completely voluntary. However, it is highly recommended as it helps in creating a digital health history, which can be very useful for future medical consultations and treatments.

Can I get free treatment with an ABHA Card?

No, the ABHA Card itself does not provide any free treatment or financial benefits. Its only purpose is to manage your health records. To get free treatment, you need to be eligible for an insurance scheme like the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY.

Who can create an ABHA Card?

Any citizen of India, regardless of their income or eligibility for other schemes, can create an ABHA Card for free. It is a universal digital health ID for everyone.

What is an ABHA Card? Is It a Health Insurance Card? (All Doubts Cleared 2025)

The Big Confusion: ABHA Card vs. Ayushman Card

With the government's push towards digital health, a new card has entered the conversation: the **ABHA Card**. Many people see the "Ayushman Bharat" branding and immediately assume it's another health insurance card, or perhaps a new version of the PMJAY card. This is the biggest point of confusion, and it's essential to understand the difference.

**To put it simply: The ABHA Card is NOT a health insurance card.** It does not provide any cashless treatment or financial benefits. It is a **Digital Health ID**, and its purpose is entirely different from the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY insurance card. This article will break down exactly what an ABHA card is, what its benefits are, and how it differs from your insurance card.

What is an ABHA Card? (A Simple Analogy)

Think of the ABHA Card like a **UPI ID for your health**.

Your UPI ID (e.g., `yourname@bank`) is a single, unique address that links all your different bank accounts. When someone needs to send you money, you just give them your UPI ID, and they don't need to know your bank name, account number, or IFSC code.

Similarly, your **ABHA Number** (a unique 14-digit number) acts as a single, unique health ID. It links all your health records—doctor's prescriptions, lab reports, hospital discharge summaries—from different hospitals and labs into one digital account. When you visit a new doctor, you can simply share your ABHA number, and with your consent (via an OTP), they can access your entire medical history in one place.

The ABHA card is part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), a government initiative to create a digital health ecosystem in India.

ABHA Card vs. Ayushman Card: Head-to-Head Comparison

Feature	ABHA Card (Health ID)	Ayushman Card (Health Insurance)
Primary Purpose	To create a unique digital health identity and link all medical records.	To provide cashless health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh.
Eligibility	Universal: Any citizen of India can create one for free.	Targeted: Only for eligible families based on SECC 2011 data or state-specific criteria.
Financial Benefit	None. It does not provide any money or free treatment.	₹5 lakh per family per year for cashless hospitalization.
Main Function	Digital storage and sharing of health records.	Cashless payment for medical treatment.
Issuing Body	Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), NHA.	Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), NHA.

Benefits of Creating an ABHA Card

Even though it's not an insurance card, having an ABHA ID has several significant advantages:

No More Physical Files: You no longer need to carry bulky files of old reports and prescriptions to every doctor's visit.
Consolidated Medical History: All your health data, from different doctors and labs, is linked to one ID, giving doctors a complete picture of your health.
Easy Access and Sharing: You can quickly share your records with any doctor or hospital in the ABDM network, with your explicit consent for each transaction.
Secure and Private: Your health records are encrypted and can only be accessed with your permission, ensuring privacy.

How to Create Your ABHA Card Online

Creating your ABHA number is a simple, 2-minute process. You can do it using your Aadhaar card or Driving License.

Step 1: Visit the Official ABHA Portal
Go to the official health ID portal: healthid.ndhm.gov.in.
Step 2: Click 'Create ABHA Number'
On the homepage, select the option to create your ABHA number.
Step 3: Choose Verification Method
You can choose to create your ABHA number using your Aadhaar Card or your Driving License. Using Aadhaar is the fastest method.
Step 4: Complete OTP Verification
Enter your Aadhaar number, agree to the terms, and submit. You will receive an OTP on your Aadhaar-linked mobile number. Enter the OTP to verify.
Step 5: Your ABHA Card is Ready
After successful verification, your 14-digit ABHA number and card will be generated instantly. You can download, save, and print it for your records.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. Do I need both an ABHA Card and an Ayushman Card?

It is beneficial to have both. The ABHA Card manages your health records, while the Ayushman Card (if you are eligible) pays for your treatment. They serve two different but complementary purposes.

Q. Will my ABHA card replace my Ayushman Card?

No. The ABHA card will not replace your Ayushman insurance card. You will still need your Ayushman Card to get cashless treatment. The ABHA card is only for digital record-keeping.