The Indian government has recently made it mandatory for Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries to link their CGHS Beneficiary ID with the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) card. This move aims to streamline healthcare services and ensure better integration with the Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) scheme. In this article, we will explore why this linkage is essential, how it benefits central government employees, and the steps to link your CGHS Beneficiary ID with the ABHA card.
What is the ABHA card?
The ABHA card, or Ayushman Bharat Health Account card, is part of the government’s Digital Health Mission. It serves as a unique health ID that stores an individual’s medical records and personal health data in a digital format. The ABHA card makes it easier for patients and healthcare providers to access medical information, ensuring more efficient and timely healthcare services.
Why is linking the CGHS Beneficiary ID with the ABHA card mandatory?
Linking the CGHS Beneficiary ID with the ABHA card is now mandatory for several reasons:
- Seamless integration with PM-JAY: The linkage allows for better integration between the CGHS and the PM-JAY scheme, making it easier for central government employees to access healthcare services across a broader network of hospitals.
- Unified health records: By linking the two IDs, beneficiaries can maintain a unified digital health record, which can be accessed anytime and anywhere. This helps doctors and healthcare providers offer more accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.
- Cashless treatment: The integration enables cashless treatment for eligible beneficiaries under the PM-JAY scheme, ensuring that central government employees can access quality healthcare without worrying about out-of-pocket expenses.
- Enhanced monitoring and efficiency: The government can better monitor healthcare usage and implement targeted improvements in the healthcare system by having a linked health record database.
How does linking benefit central government employees?
Linking the CGHS Beneficiary ID with the ABHA card offers several advantages for central government employees:
- Wider access to healthcare facilities: Employees can avail themselves of healthcare services not only at CGHS-empanelled hospitals but also at PM-JAY-empanelled hospitals across the country, expanding the range of available treatment options.
- Easier claim process: Linking the IDs simplifies the claims process, allowing beneficiaries to receive cashless treatment and avoid the hassle of reimbursement paperwork.
- Centralised health records: With linked health records, employees can access their complete medical history digitally, making it easier for doctors to provide accurate treatments based on their health history.
How to link your CGHS Beneficiary ID with the ABHA card
Linking your CGHS Beneficiary ID with your ABHA card is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:
- Visit the official website: Go to the CGHS website (cghs.gov.in) and log in using your credentials.
- Access the linking option: Navigate to the ‘ABHA Link’ section or ‘Digital Health ID’ section on the website.
- Enter your details: Provide your CGHS Beneficiary ID and ABHA card number. If you do not have an ABHA card yet, you can generate one through the website using your Aadhaar number or mobile number.
- Verify your information: Once the details are entered, verify your information to ensure that your records match correctly.
- Submit and confirm: After verification, submit the details to complete the linking process. You will receive a confirmation message once your CGHS Beneficiary ID and ABHA card are successfully linked.
How to generate an ABHA card if you do not have one
If you do not have an ABHA card, you can create one quickly by following these steps:
- Visit the National Health Authority’s website: Go to the ABHA portal and click on ‘Create ABHA Number.’
- Use your Aadhaar or mobile number: You can choose to create your ABHA card using either your Aadhaar number or mobile number. Enter the chosen details to proceed.
- Verify with OTP: You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) on your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP for verification.
- Complete the process: Once verified, your ABHA card will be generated, and you can download or print it for future use.
Benefits of linking ABHA with the PM-JAY scheme
The integration between ABHA and the PM-JAY scheme offers multiple benefits for central government employees:
- Access to a broader hospital network: The linkage allows beneficiaries to access both CGHS and PM-JAY empanelled hospitals, providing a wider choice of healthcare facilities.
- Cashless treatment under PM-JAY: Linking the two IDs ensures that you can avail yourself of cashless treatment for treatments covered under the PM-JAY scheme.
- Digital access to health records: The ABHA card stores your health records digitally, making it easier to share your medical history with healthcare providers for better treatment.
Conclusion
Linking your CGHS Beneficiary ID with the ABHA card is a crucial step for central government employees to access enhanced healthcare services under the PM-JAY scheme. This integration not only ensures seamless access to cashless treatments but also provides a centralised digital health record, improving the overall healthcare experience. If you have not linked your IDs yet, make sure to do so promptly to take full advantage of the benefits offered by the government’s healthcare initiatives.