MUMBAI: A mediclaim insurance policy protects you and your family from large medical expenses in case of hospitalisation. However, the claims process can often be tedious, requiring lots of paperwork. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to streamline this by giving every citizen a unique digital health ID - the Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) number.
Linking your ABHA ID with your insurance policy and family members makes the claims process faster and more efficient. Here is a step-by-step guide on creating your ABHA ID and linking it with your mediclaim policy.
What is ABHA ID, and Why Link it?
ABHA ID is a unique 14-digit identification number provided to citizens as part of the ABDM program.
● It is a central repository of all medical records like prescriptions, lab reports, discharge summaries, etc.
● Linking ABHA ID with insurance policy allows quick access to health records for claim processing.
● Adds family members to enable them to access each other's health records.
Steps to Create ABHA ID & Link it with Mediclaim
Step 1: Download the ABHA App
● Go to Google Play Store/ Apple App Store on your smartphone to Create ABHA ID
● Search for “ABDM ABHA app”. Download and install it.
● Alternatively, one can visit the [official ABHA portal]
Step 2: Register and Create ABHA ID
Follow the below steps on the ABHA or the ACKO app for registration:
● Choose language preference - English or any Indian language.
● Enter your mobile number and validate with the OTP.
● Accept the T&C.
● Enter basic demographic data like name, age, gender, etc.
● Supporting document type needs to be chosen - Aadhaar or Passport, etc.
● Enter the ID number and verify. Biometric or OTP validation follows.
Once successful verification is done, a 14-digit unique ABHA number is generated. This will be required for linking insurance policies.
Step 3: Link Your Mediclaim Policy
To link the mediclaim policy using the ABHA app:
● Go to the “My Policies” tab in the ABHA app.
● Select “Link Policy” and choose Insurance Company.
● Enter the Policy Number and Policy Holder Name.
● Upload policy copy if needed.
● The medical insurance policy gets linked to the ABHA ID upon successful verification.
One can also get policies auto-fetched if the same mobile number was provided when buying the insurance policy.
Step 4: Add Family Members
Adding family members allows access to health records like:
● Children below 5 years
● Elderly parents
To add family members:
● Go to the “Family Members” tab in the ABHA app.
● Select “Add Member”.
● Enter their Name, Age, Gender and Relationship.
● Provide their Aadhaar/Passport number.
Once successfully verified, they get added to your account. Now, hospitalisation records, discharge summaries, test reports, etc. can be accessed by permitted family members too.
Step 5: Access Health Records via the ABHA App
Major health records available in the app:
● Doctor prescriptions
● Lab test reports
● Radiology images
● Discharge summaries
Other documents:
● One can browse, download, print or share digitally signed health records from the ABHA app without carrying around files and paperwork.
● Teleconsultation history and appointment bookings with doctors will also be available going forward.
Steps to Create ABHA ID through the ACKO App
1. Download the ACKO app
2. Login and tap 'Discover'
3. Tap 'Get Started' then 'Create ABHA number'
4. Select the member to create the ABHA ID for
5. Enter details like Aadhar number and mobile number
6. Create a unique username called the ABHA address
Benefits of Linking ABHA ID with Insurance
Linking ABHA ID with health insurance policy provides the below key advantages:
1. Faster Claim Processing
With your ABHA ID linked, the moment you get hospitalised, your health records automatically get updated in digital format and are accessible anytime by you and the insurer. So now, instead of sending photocopies of 100 documents, you can simply share your ABHA ID details. The insurer directly analyses your records online and processes claims quickly without back-and-forth communication.
2. Improved Fraud Detection
For insurers, manually verifying each report across multiple hospitals is challenging. However, falsification becomes tough with transparent digital records linked to ABHA ID. The insurer can analyse treatment costs, diagnostic reports, doctor's recommendations, etc. This reduces bloated or fraudulent claims and ensures genuine cases get assisted faster.
3. Better Policy Renewals
Your comprehensive health history across hospitals and years is available with an ABHA ID. So insurers can make precise risk-based assessments about pre-existing conditions, recurrent ailments, etc., before renewal. This enables customised premiums and policy coverage enhancements.
4. Portability Across Providers
ABHA ID solves this as your unified health record is available to you and your family anywhere. Any authorised hospital nationwide can access your medical history, irrespective of which hospital created those reports earlier.
Conclusion
Linking your Mediclaim Insurance Policy with Abha ID is a simple process that adds extra convenience to managing your health coverage. By following these simple steps, you ensure smoother access to medical services and a streamlined experience, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency of your healthcare management.
