Ayushman Bharat: ABHA ID Cards to Be Accessible on Google Wallet Starting in 2025

From 2025, Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID cards will be accessible on Google Wallet, enabling over 600 million cardholders to manage their health records digitally. This initiative is part of a collaboration between the National Health Authority, which oversees the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, and Google. It aims to streamline healthcare access by allowing users to store and access their health data securely on their smartphones. This article explores the purpose of this integration, its benefits, and the process of ABHA card download.

Purpose of ABHA card integration with Google Wallet

The integration of ABHA cards with Google Wallet aims to simplify healthcare management for individuals. By providing digital access to the ABHA card, the initiative allows users to share and retrieve their health records, such as prescriptions, lab results, and hospital reports, efficiently. The collaboration with Eka Care, an authorised issuer of digital health IDs, has accelerated this process, reducing the time required for technical implementation from months to weeks.

This initiative is particularly beneficial for individuals who previously relied on physical records, offering a more secure and convenient alternative. The availability of ABHA cards on Google Wallet ensures that users can access their healthcare information anytime, anywhere, using their smartphones.

Security measures for ABHA cards on Google Wallet

Since healthcare data is highly sensitive, robust security measures are in place to protect users’ information. Google Wallet will require users to authenticate their devices with a fingerprint, PIN, or passcode when adding or accessing their ABHA card. These measures ensure that only authorised individuals can view or use the card.

Additionally, enrolling for an ABHA card remains a voluntary process. This ensures that individuals retain complete control over their healthcare data and its sharing with medical institutions. Privacy and security are core principles of this integration.

What is the Ayushman Bharat Health Account?

The Ayushman Bharat Health Account is a digital initiative under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. It aims to provide a platform for individuals to manage their healthcare needs. By creating an ABHA ID, individuals can store their medical history digitally, including prescriptions, consultations, and diagnostic results.

The ABHA ID is a 14-digit unique identification number linked to an individual’s Aadhaar or mobile number. This ID is designed to simplify healthcare interactions by ensuring that all records are stored in a central, secure location. The initiative is especially beneficial for economically weaker sections, as it streamlines access to healthcare facilities and schemes.

How to create and download your ABHA card

Creating and downloading the ABHA card is a simple process that ensures individuals can access their healthcare records digitally. Here are the steps for ABHA card download:

1. Visit the official ABHA website and select the option to create an ABHA number.
2. Choose an identification method, such as Aadhaar or driving licence, and proceed to the next step.
3. Enter the selected identification number and agree to the terms and conditions.
4. Authenticate using the OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
5. Complete the required form with accurate personal details and submit the request.
6. Download the ABHA card and save it for future use.

Once the integration with Google Wallet is operational, users will also have the option to add the downloaded ABHA card directly to their digital wallet for ease of access.

Benefits of the ABHA card

The ABHA card offers several advantages, contributing to improved healthcare management for its users:

• It enables digital storage of health records, reducing dependency on physical documents.
• It provides access to various government healthcare schemes, including Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana.
• It is valid across alternative medicine systems like Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
• It allows users to sign up for personal health record applications, facilitating secure data sharing with healthcare providers.
• It creates a unique identity for all healthcare interactions, simplifying the process of accessing medical services.

The ability to add the ABHA card to Google Wallet further enhances these benefits, making healthcare information accessible with just a few taps on a smartphone.

Linking ABHA cards with medical insurance

One of the significant applications of the ABHA card is its integration with medical insurance schemes. Through this integration, users can streamline their healthcare and insurance processes. Hospitals participating in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, as well as private insurers, can use the ABHA card to verify and process claims quickly.

Private policyholders can also consolidate their health and insurance data with the ABHA card, ensuring smooth coordination between government healthcare schemes and private medical insurance. This integration is particularly valuable for senior citizens and individuals with chronic conditions, who require frequent and efficient access to healthcare services.

Implications for India’s healthcare system

The introduction of ABHA cards on Google Wallet is a significant step in digitising India’s healthcare ecosystem. By ensuring that health records are accessible digitally, the initiative aims to reduce administrative delays, improve data accuracy, and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery.