ABHA CARD VS AYUSHMAN CARD

Many of us are confused between the ABHA card and the Ayushman Bharat card. Both these health insurance schemes are launched by the Government of India to benefit those who struggle to afford healthcare. These government initiatives have played an essential role in providing accessible and affordable healthcare to all citizens, regardless of their economic status.

Let's start by understanding the difference between the Ayushman Bharat card and the ABHA card. Additionally, we will look at the benefits and coverage of both the Ayushman Bharat card and the ABHA card.

 

 

What is ABHA Card?

The ABHA Card or Ayushman Bharat Health Account card is a digital health ID that helps individuals store and access their health records online. It allows secure sharing of health information with healthcare providers, making medical history easily available for better and faster care.

What is Ayushman Bharat Card?

The Ayushman Bharat Card, also known as the PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana) card, provides health insurance to low-income families in India. It covers medical expenses for a range of treatments at empaneled public and private hospitals, allowing beneficiaries to receive cashless healthcare services for up to INR 5 lakh per family per year. The Ayushman Bharat scheme aims to provide many benefits including improved access to quality healthcare for vulnerable sections of society.

 

Difference between Ayushman Card and ABHA Card

 

Sr. no	Features	Ayushman Bharat Card	ABHA Card
1	Purpose	Provides health insurance for low-income families	Provides a unique digital health ID to store and access health records
2	Benefits	Covers up to INR 5 lakh per family per year for treatments	Enables secure sharing of medical history with healthcare providers
3	Eligibility	Available to economically weaker families (as per SECC data)	Open to all Indian citizens
4	Coverage	Provides health insurance coverage up to INR 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary treatments. Covers a wide range of medical services including hospitalization, surgery, diagnostics, medicines, and post-hospitalization expenses at empaneled public and private hospitals.	No direct financial or treatment coverage. The ABHA card is primarily for storing and sharing health records digitally across healthcare providers.
5	Usability	Used for availing free treatment at empaneled hospitals	Helps in accessing health data digitally across healthcare facilities
6	Application Process	Automatically provided to eligible families (can be checked on the PM-JAY portal)	Apply through the ABDM portal with Aadhaar or mobile number
7	Cost of Services	Covers treatment costs under the scheme (PM-JAY)	No associated cost, as it is a health record ID
8	Eligibility	Specifically for economically weaker families as identified by the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 and certain occupational criteria of urban workers. Generally includes low-income households, rural families, and vulnerable sections of society.	Open to all Indian citizens. Anyone can create an ABHA ID through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) portal using their Aadhaar or mobile number.

ABHA is a digital health ID for record management, open to all, while Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) provides financial coverage specifically for low-income families.

 

Over to you!

The government has launched several initiatives to enhance our healthcare system, and it's important we make use of these opportunities. If you are eligible, applying for both the Ayushman Bharat card and the ABHA card can be incredibly beneficial. The Ayushman Bharat card provides health insurance coverage, while the ABHA card helps you keep your health records organized and accessible.

Health insurance is a valuable asset, and every Indian citizen should take full advantage of it. Don’t miss out on these benefits that can significantly improve your healthcare experience.

FAQs Ayushman Vs ABHA Card

Q1. Who can apply for an ABHA card?

Ans: Anyone in India can apply for an ABHA card.

Q2. Benefits of having an ABHA card?

Ans: It helps store and access your health records digitally for easy sharing with healthcare providers.

Q3. How do I create an ABHA card?

Ans: You can create it through the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) portal using your Aadhaar or mobile number.

Q4. Does the ABHA card provide any financial coverage?

Ans: No, it does not provide financial coverage. It's for health record management only.

Q5. Who is eligible for the Ayushman Bharat card?

Ans: Low-income families identified by SECC 2011 are eligible.

Q6. How much coverage does the Ayushman Bharat card provide?

Ans: Ayushman Bharat card provides up to INR 5 lakh per family per year for medical treatments.

Q7. What treatments are covered under Ayushman Bharat?

Ans: It covers hospitalization, surgeries, diagnostics, medicines, and post-treatment expenses at empaneled hospitals.