Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission – What is ABDM & Its Benefits

The Government of India launched the important Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) Scheme under the extensive Ayushman Bharat Scheme. The main aim of ABDM is to offer a comprehensive digital health structure accessible to every citizen and healthcare facility in the nation so that healthcare is more accessible and affordable.

Under ABDM, the digital healthcare solutions of hospitals across India can be linked. Within this digital ecosystem, medical care is simplified through virtual consultations, easy access to patient medical records, and more.

The Need for ABDM in India

In 2017, the National Health Policy emphasized on Universal Health Coverage for India with access to premium healthcare for every citizen. However, COVID-19 showcased lots of loopholes in our healthcare system. Based on a 2020 report, there were just 8.5 doctors and 5 beds per every 10,000 people in the nation.

Also, the Rural Health Statistics stated that there are around 3002 Community Health centers, 9231 Primary Health centers, and 46140 Sub Health Centres across the country. Based on this data, a digital healthcare system is vital and ABDM provides just that. It will allow equal distribution of health resources to everyone.

Key Components of ABDM

The following are the main components that comprise the ABDM ecosystem.

Health ID – Similar to an identity card, a Health ID works for your health and stores all medical records and information at a single place.

Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR) – A comprehensive digital list that includes all healthcare professionals in our nation.

Health Facility Registry (HFR) – This is a digital list with details about all the healthcare facilities so that people can easily locate them for medical services.

Personal Health Record (PHR) App – A PHR app allows people to conveniently manage their health data, and records, book appointments, and all other services.

Kulcare – One of the First ABDM Certified Healthcare Platform

India’s premier digital health platform and the first virtual mother and child clinic, Kulcare was among the first ABDM-certified healthcare platforms in the country. In light of the shortage of proper medical care and to ensure timely and proper healthcare, Kulcare chose to be a part of the platform. Our vision behind adopting ABDM included –

• They are ensuring that every single person in India can access high-quality, affordable healthcare without struggling for it.
• With a nationally-centralized digital health infrastructure, it becomes easier for both doctors as well as patients to access it.
• People in rural areas without high-class healthcare facilities in their region can receive adequate medical care without needing to travel a lot.
• To use a data-driven and technology-based health ecosystem so that doctors and patients can view and use authentic healthcare records and data. It also helps facilitate an efficient and transparent cashless system. 
• Doctors can foster entrepreneurship and innovation in healthcare using advanced digital technology.

Why Kulcare Chose ABDM – Benefits of ABDM Enrollment

The main aim of ABDM was to build a digital health ecosystem in an inclusive, efficient, safe, affordable, and accessible way. Another aim is to store patient data and other related information at a single platform for healthcare consultation.

ABDM is certainly a revolutionary initiative with the potential to improve healthcare and eventually the life of every Indian citizen. Kulcare chose to be ABDM-certified as there were several benefits of it.

Access to Healthcare Repository – ABDM features a single platform for verified healthcare facilities, doctors, nurses, clinics, and pharmacies. Healthcare providers can sign up with Kulcare and people can conveniently get vital, important data about them without needing to go anywhere. Also, this helps filter out unethical health facilities and fraudsters.

Telemedicine – There are several places in remote areas where it is impossible to construct high-quality health facilities and hospitals. People living in such rural and remote areas find it hard to access medical care and also need to travel long distances to get the same. With Kulcare, doctors can expand their practice and help patients anywhere in the country virtually. They can take online consultations, provide prescriptions, and more.

ABHA Accounts – The Ayushman Bharat Health Account or ABHA health card allow citizens to keep all their health data and records at a single place. Kulcare and the doctors on the platform can easily access medical history and data with a patient’s consent. This way, there is no need to repeat medical records, see past treatments, provide the necessary healthcare and prevent diseases.

Efficient & Improved Healthcare – As doctors can check patients virtually and access health records, it removes the hassles of registration, appointments, consultations, discharge, and more. They can focus properly on what is most important, that is, providing efficient medical care.

End-to-End Ecosystem – As ABDM incorporates everything at a single place, Kulcare benefits a lot from the end-to-end ecosystem. Right from virtual consultations, access to medical records, appointments, and online prescriptions, easy billing, and online payments, doctors get everything at a single place.

Privacy – ABDM also emphasizes security and citizens can choose to keep their medical records private. Doctors on Kulcare’s platform can ask for consent to access these records and all the treatments, prescriptions, and opinions are also limited to just the doctor and the patient.

Digital Health Incentive Scheme

The National Health Authority aims to help all types of healthcare facilities to adopt ABDM. The Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS), it is offering incentives so that the facilities can benefit from the digital health ecosystem. Thus, Kulcare also stands to earn incentives up to Rs. 4 Crores under the scheme

There is a base level criteria and all transactions done on Kulcare beyond this threshold will earn incentives. Incentives earned help Kulcare reduce costs as well as help healthcare facilities cover digitization costs.

For hospitals, clinics, labs, and pharmacies using Kulcare – A minimum of 10 facilities and 100 transactions monthly per facility. For every transaction beyond the base level, Rs. 5 are earned.

For teleconsultation transactions – A minimum of 500 transactions per month. For every transaction beyond the base level, Rs. 5 are earned.

ABDM – The Present & Future of Virtual Healthcare

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) strives to establish the foundational framework essential for sustaining the unified digital health infrastructure across the nation. With this digital approach, the gap among different parts of India’s healthcare ecosystem is reduced.

Kulcare adopted ABDM as we want to strengthen the availability and accessibility of healthcare for people virtually. With the help of IT and associated technologies, we want to offer a holistic, citizen-centric holistic healthcare program in India. Virtual healthcare is the way to go, and ABDM is certainly its present and future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the ABHA number?

A. ABHA number is a 14-digit number that will uniquely identify you as a participant in India’s digital healthcare ecosystem.
The Ayushman Bharat Health Account number is a unique identification number assigned to beneficiaries under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme. This number helps in identifying and tracking the healthcare services availed by the beneficiaries and ensures seamless communication between various stakeholders involved in the scheme.

Q. In which year is the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission launched?

A. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission was launched in the year 2021 by the Prime Minister of India. Overall, the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission card streamlines the process of availing healthcare services and provides financial protection to the vulnerable population in India, improving their overall access to quality healthcare.

Q. Which is the implementing agency of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?

A. The implementing agency of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Q. How can I get an Ayushman Bharat Health Account number?

A. To get an Ayushman Bharat Health Account number, you need to check if your name is on the list of eligible beneficiaries. If you are eligible, you can approach your nearest Ayushman Mitra or visit the official PMJAY website to register and obtain your unique health account number.

Q. Can I use my Ayushman Bharat Health Account number anywhere in India?

A. Yes, the Ayushman Bharat Health Account number can be used at any empaneled hospital or healthcare provider across India to avail of cashless healthcare services under the PMJAY scheme.

Q. How can I check the balance in my Ayushman Bharat Health Account?

A. To check the balance in your Ayushman Bharat Health Account, you can visit the official PMJAY website and log in using your account credentials. Alternatively, you can contact the Ayushman Mitra at your nearest empaneled hospital for assistance.

Q. Can I transfer funds from my Ayushman Bharat Health Account to another account?

A. No, the funds in your Ayushman Bharat Health Account cannot be transferred to any other bank account. The account is specifically meant for availing healthcare services under PMJAY, and the funds can only be used for that purpose.

Q. Is there a time limit for utilizing the funds in my Ayushman Bharat Health Account?

A. Yes, the funds in your Ayushman Bharat Health Account need to be utilized within the same financial year. Any unutilized funds will not be carried forward to the next year.

Q. Can I withdraw cash from my Ayushman Bharat Health Account?

A. No, the Ayushman Bharat Health Account is not meant for cash withdrawal. It can only be used to avail cashless healthcare services at empaneled hospitals.

Q. What happens if my Ayushman Bharat Health Account balance is exhausted?

A. If your Ayushman Bharat Health Account balance is exhausted, and you still require medical treatment, you may need to pay for the additional expenses out of your own pocket or seek alternative financial support options.