The Indian government has introduced several health initiatives, with two prominent cards being the Ayushman Card and the ABHA Card. While both are related to healthcare under the Ayushman Bharat mission, they serve entirely different purposes. This article will explain the details, benefits, and drawbacks of each card based on the information provided.
What is the Ayushman Card?
The Ayushman Card is part of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). This scheme provides a significant health benefit to eligible citizens. The card itself is the tool used to access the benefits of this government program.
Under the PM-JAY scheme, cardholders are entitled to free and cashless medical treatment up to ₹5 lakh. This benefit can be availed at empanelled private hospitals across India. The primary goal of the Ayushman Card is to provide financial protection against high medical expenses, making quality healthcare accessible.
This card is intended for a broad section of the Indian population. However, it is not available to everyone. Government employees, large business owners, and individuals who pay income tax are generally not eligible to get an Ayushman Card. The scheme is currently active across almost all of India, with exceptions being Delhi and West Bengal.
The ABHA Card: Your Digital Health Account
The ABHA Card, also known as the Health Card, stands for Ayushman Bharat Health Account. Unlike the Ayushman Card, which provides financial benefits, the ABHA Card functions as a digital locker for your health records. It is issued by the National Health Authority (NHA), the same body that manages the Ayushman scheme.
Think of the ABHA account as a bank account, but for your health information. It is designed to store your entire medical history in one secure place. This includes every diagnosis, test report, prescription, and treatment you have ever received. Whenever you visit a doctor or get a test done, the details can be linked to your unique ABHA number.
The main advantage of an ABHA Card is convenience and continuity of care. Patients no longer need to carry bulky files of old reports and prescriptions. If you lose a report or forget the details of a past treatment, a doctor can access your complete history through your ABHA number. This prevents the need for repeated tests and helps provide more accurate treatment. Everyone in India is eligible to create an ABHA Card.
The Disadvantages of Each Card
Both cards have specific limitations. The primary disadvantage of the Ayushman Card is that the patient does not receive any money directly. When treatment is provided, the government pays the hospital directly. The patient is often unaware of the exact amount billed by the hospital, which can lead to concerns about overcharging for procedures.
The main drawback of the ABHA Card is that it offers no financial benefits. It does not provide any free or subsidized treatment. The card is solely for the purpose of maintaining a digital record of your health history, including your illnesses, reports, and medications.
Conclusion: Two Important and Different Cards
In summary, both the Ayushman Card and the ABHA Card are crucial but serve distinct functions. The Ayushman Card is a financial tool that offers up to ₹5 lakh in free medical treatment to protect you from catastrophic health expenses. The ABHA Card is a digital data tool that organizes and stores your entire medical history for easy access and better-informed medical care. Both cards are highly important and play a vital role in India’s healthcare landscape.
