The Indian healthcare system has evolved over time, yet there are still many problems that need to be fixed. Access to inexpensive healthcare is one of them. The Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) initiative represents to improve this situation.
This is especially important for people living in rural regions or in economically challenged households who frequently encounter difficulties in receiving healthcare services. The National Health Card, also known as the Ayushman Bharat Card, might be a useful tool in such cases.
What is the Ayushman Bharat Card?
The Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (PM-JAY) is a component of the government’s Ayushman Bharat program, which was introduced in September 2018. It offers the Ayushman Bharat Card as a national health card. The initiative offers financial stability to economically disadvantaged segments of society. It guarantees all citizens access to high-quality healthcare.
Under this program, eligible citizens receive the Ayushman Bharat Card. This biometric-based card contains appropriate information about the cardholder, such as demographics and Aadhaar number. The card is linked to a unique PMJAY ID. It is used to identify the cardholder and track their medical history and for suitable care.
The Ayushman Bharat Card offers annual secondary and tertiary care hospitalization coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakhs per household. This implies that if a cardholder experiences a medical emergency that necessitates hospitalization, they can receive care at any of the hospitals without having to pay upfront. These places have already been granted empanelled status nationwide. The card enables cashless medical transactions. It implies that the insurance company will pay the hospital costs directly, lessening the financial strain on the cardholder.
The fact that the Ayushman Bharat Card does not have a waiting period for coverage and covers all pre-existing medical illnesses is beneficial. This indicates that there are no limitations on who can use the program’s benefits, even if they have pre-existing problems.
Why should you open an Ayushman Bharat Health Account?
1- Financial security:
Obtaining some protection from unforeseen medical bills is one of the main grounds for opening an Ayushman Bharat Health Account. Up to Rs. 5 lakhs per family each year is covered by the card, which is a considerable sum for many households. This reduces financial strains in the case of a medical emergency. It can be particularly worthwhile for lower-earnings families.
2- No limits:
There are no limits on age, gender, or disease kind, which is a key benefit of the Ayushman Bharat national health card. There is no waiting period, and most pre-existing diseases are covered. Many individuals face difficulty acquiring health coverage due to their age or clinical history. These people would greatly benefit from this scheme.
3- Cashless transactions:
Cashless options are also possible using the Ayushman Bharat national health card at any hospital or healthcare facility. Many medical facilities have been granted accreditation throughout the nation. This entails that you may receive medical care without having to pay up in advance, which can be quite helpful in an emergency situation.
4- Easy enrolment:
The Ayushman Bharat Yojana enrolment procedure is simple. To sign up for the program, go to the Common Service Centre (CSC) or Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY kiosk. You just have to present your Aadhaar card information. This implies that anybody may easily sign up for the program, regardless of whether they have access to the internet.
5- Access to quality healthcare:
Opening an Ayushman Bharat Health Account entitles you to quality healthcare services. You can visit any healthcare facility in the nation that has been granted accreditation. Thus, you and your family might seek the most exceptional clinical treatment without being worried about the cost. This is particularly significant for families that probably won’t approach medical care due to high expenses.
6- Convenience:
The Ayushman Bharat Card offers complete health coverage for you and your family on a single national health card. You won’t need to keep individual health insurance coverage for each member of your family. For households that might find it challenging to manage various plans, this can be really convenient.
To make an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card, you need to follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Determine your eligibility.
Before applying for an ABHA card, you must check if you are eligible for the scheme. The following are the qualifying conditions for the Ayushman Bharat scheme:
- The plan applies to families and people from economically disadvantaged parts of society, scheduled castes and tribes, and other vulnerable groups.
- The data from the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) is used to decide on eligibility.
- The plan is applicable to both rural and urban regions.
Step 2: Apply for the ABHA card.
You can apply for an ABHA card when you have verified your eligibility. The following are the criteria to abide by:
- Visit an Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana (PMJAY)-empanelled hospital or Common Service Centre in your area. (CSC).
- Please bring your identity papers, such as your Aadhaar card, voter ID card or any other government-issued ID evidence.
- The hospital or CSC employees will next verify your information. They will also collect biometrics such as fingerprints and iris scans.
- Following verification, you will receive your ABHA national health card, which will include your unique PMJAY ID.
Step 3: Make use of the ABHA card.
After receiving your ABHA card, you can use it to obtain medical care at any of the country’s empanelled hospitals. Here’s how to use your ABHA card:
- Visit any of the scheme’s empanelled hospitals.
- Present your ABHA card at the hospital’s reception desk.
- The hospital personnel will then confirm your information and the therapy needed.
- The facility would give cashless care up to the insured sum of Rs. 5 lakhs per family each year.
Be a part of the future of healthcare in India
Creating an ABHA national health card is the first step in developing the country’s digital healthcare ecosystem. Individuals may use the ABHA card to keep their health information digitally. This makes it simpler to transfer information among healthcare professionals and keep a track of health history.
