New govt digital locker to store, access, share all your medical history: What is ABHA number, eligibility, benefits, how to enrol

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

What if we tell you that you can now easily store all your medical information in one place and share it with medical practitioners or hospitals electronically? The Centre has introduced a unique 14-digit number — Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) or health ID — to store all health records of an individual. How can you create an ABHA number? Who can access your medical history through an ABHA ID? If you enroll for an ABHA ID, how safe will your data be? ET Wealth Online explains what you need to know about ABHA ID.

1) What is an ABHA number or health ID?

ABHA number is a 14-digit unique number to access, link and share your health records across multiple systems digitally. Very similar to a bank account number, it is a unique number to identify you and authenticate you whenever needed.

2) What is an ABHA address?

It could be difficult to remember the 14-digit ABHA number in the time of emergency. So, there is a username that is linked to your ABHA number that is easy to remember. The format of the ABHA address is very similar to a UPI ID — xyz@abdm. It is also known as health ID.

3) ABHA number: What changes for you

At present, when you are a hospital, be it a government hospital or private, it usually creates an ID against your name to keep your health records. But, only that hospital can access those health records. If you go to a new doctor or hospital tomorrow, you need to carry all the documents of your previous treatment with you. As a patient, you need to maintain a record of your diagnosis and