Health Card in India: Understanding ABHA and Ayushman Cards Together This distinction is important because both cards solve different problems within the healthcare system.
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.
India's healthcare system is slowly shifting toward a more connected, accessible model. The two health cards are often cited as the primary tiles of this transformation: the ABHA card and the Ayushman card. People often confuse them or think they are one and the same. Actually, the purposes of these cards are vastly different. Knowing what each of them does separately and how they can come together makes it easier for the citizens to utilise public healthcare services efficiently.
What is the ABHA Card?
The ABHA card (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is a health ID issued under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The purpose is to have one safe ID for all your health records that you can use among any healthcare provider.
An ABHA card provides a person with a unique 14-digit health ID. Along with this ID, medical records such as prescriptions, diagnostic reports, discharge summaries, and doctor consultations can be digitised and used anytime. The main goal is continuity of care, making sure that health information is not spread out in different hospitals or lost over time.
It is open to all Indian residents to voluntarily make an ABHA card. It is not an insurance policy nor a financial benefit. Rather, it is about making the data portable, sharing based on the consent of the individual, and having smoother communication with doctors, hospitals, labs, and telemedicine platforms.
What is the Ayushman Card?
Ayushman card is a card issued to a beneficiary of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). The scheme is an insurance scheme under the government that offers a health coverage limit of Rs. 5 lakh per family per year for hospitalisation at secondary and tertiary levels.
Ayushman card benefits are solely for financial protection, whereas ABHA cards can be used for multiple purposes. The Ayushman card ensures that hospital bills of eligible families identified through socio-economic criteria are paid. They receive free treatment at the network hospitals without any cash transaction.
Key Differences Between ABHA and Ayushman Cards
Aspect | ABHA Card | Ayushman Card |
Primary purpose | Digital health identity | Health insurance coverage |
Type of benefit | Health data access and sharing | Financial support for hospitalisation |
Eligibility | All Indian residents | Eligible families under PM-JAY |
Coverage amount | No monetary coverage | Up to ₹5 lakh per family per year |
Core focus | Medical records and continuity of care | Affordability of treatment |
This distinction is important because both cards solve different problems within the healthcare system.
How ABHA and Ayushman Cards Work Together
While each card serves a different purpose, they can be used to complement each other at the same time. The ABHA card takes care of medical records, and the Ayushman card takes care of the treatment expenses.
A patient can simply link their records and grant doctors access to previous reports or prescriptions through their ABHA ID, thereby facilitating quicker diagnosis and ensuring continuity of care. In parallel, the hospital bills for the treatments covered by the cardholder's Ayushman card can be settled without any upfront payment.
For instance, a patient who's been admitted under the Ayushman scheme may use their ABHA-linked records to provide the hospital with their earlier test results, thereby lessening duplication and wait time. One system facilitates the flow of information, whereas the other facilitates accessibility.
Why Understanding Both Cards Matters
A lot of confusion about these cards results in the formation of misplaced expectations. For instance, some individuals think that the ABHA card is a kind of insurance, while others say the Ayushman card is like medical record storage. The fact is, these cards are meant to serve distinct purposes.
Together, these two support important aspects of public healthcare: digital integration and financial protection. Proper use of them facilitates access, reduces paperwork, and makes it easier for patients to navigate the healthcare system.
