ABHA Card: Eligibility, Coverage, Expiry and Validity Explained
Ever stood in a hospital line, wishing all your medical records were stored in one place instead of scattered across files, WhatsApp chats, and old envelopes? That’s the exact frustration the ABHA card (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) is trying to solve.
Launched under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, ABHA aims to give every Indian a unique health ID. Think of it as your Aadhaar for health – a single number that connects all your doctor visits, prescriptions, lab reports, and even insurance benefits.
But let’s be honest, most people don’t care about policy jargon. What they really ask is: Who can get this card? What’s the famous 5 lakh cover? Does it ever expire? And how can I check if it’s still valid?
Let’s go through these one by one, in plain English.
What is the ABHA card?
The ABHA card is a digital health ID – a 14-digit unique number assigned to each citizen who registers. With it, your medical history can be safely stored and accessed online by authorized doctors and hospitals.
Instead of carrying a bulky folder of X-rays and prescriptions, you can just share your ABHA ID. The doctor can then view your reports in seconds.
It’s free, voluntary, and open to everyone. The government’s vision is to make healthcare less chaotic and more connected, so no matter where you go in India, your records are just a click away.
Who is eligible for ABHA card?
Here’s the best part: every Indian citizen is eligible for an ABHA card. There are no restrictions based on income, caste, or where you live. Anyone can register online or at a hospital.
But when you connect ABHA with Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), eligibility changes. Only families listed in the Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) or identified as vulnerable groups get access to the ₹5 lakh free insurance coverage.
So, to put it simply:
- ABHA ID → open to everyone.
- Ayushman 5 lakh cover → only for PM-JAY eligible families.
I once spoke to a health volunteer in Haryana who put it bluntly: “Anyone can create ABHA, but only some will unlock the 5 lakh cover.”
What is the ABHA 5 lakh card?
When people say “ABHA 5 lakh card”, they’re really talking about the Ayushman Bharat Health Card under PM-JAY.
This card gives ₹5 lakh health insurance per family, per year. The coverage includes hospitalization for serious diseases, surgeries, and specialized treatments across thousands of empaneled hospitals.
Imagine your mother needs a cancer treatment that costs lakhs. Instead of selling assets or borrowing money, you show the Ayushman card linked to your ABHA ID. The bill is taken care of under the scheme.
This is why the scheme is sometimes called a “game-changer” for poor and middle-class families. It can literally save lives while saving money.
What is the expiry date of the Ayushman card?
This is where people often get confused. The Ayushman card itself does not expire. Once generated, your ABHA/Ayushman ID is valid for life.
But here’s the nuance – the ₹5 lakh insurance coverage is renewed every financial year. So yes, your benefits refresh annually, but the card itself remains active forever.
Think of it like a debit card. The plastic card doesn’t expire quickly, but the account balance resets when you deposit fresh funds. In Ayushman’s case, the government automatically renews the benefit each year.
So, don’t worry about your Ayushman card “running out” – just make sure your details are updated in the system.
How to check ABHA card validity
Wondering if your ABHA or Ayushman card is still valid? Here’s a quick guide:
- PM-JAY Website: Visit pmjay.gov.in, click “Am I Eligible?”, and enter your registered mobile number or ration card details.
- Mobile App: Download the Ayushman Bharat app, log in, and check your family’s coverage.
- Hospital Helpdesk: At empaneled hospitals, staff can scan your ABHA ID and instantly confirm if your benefits are active.
A friend of mine once thought his card had “expired” since he hadn’t used it for two years. But when checked at a Delhi hospital desk, it was still active with a fresh ₹5 lakh cover. So, it’s always better to confirm than assume.
Why ABHA matters for India’s healthcare future
Beyond insurance, the real vision of ABHA is building a digital-first healthcare ecosystem.
- No duplicate tests: Doctors can see past reports.
- Quicker diagnoses: Full history available in seconds.
- Seamless referrals: Specialists across states can access your case.
States like Haryana, Delhi, and Chhattisgarh are already reporting success. Digital OPD bookings, electronic prescriptions, and better tracking of chronic diseases are all being made possible with ABHA IDs.
Of course, challenges remain. Internet connectivity in rural areas is patchy, not all hospitals are tech-ready, and data privacy is still a sensitive issue. But if India pulls this off, ABHA could become as essential as Aadhaar in daily life.
Final thoughts on ABHA card
So, let’s wrap it up:
- ABHA is for everyone, but the 5 lakh insurance benefit applies only to PM-JAY eligible families.
- The Ayushman card never expires, though benefits refresh yearly.
- Checking validity is as simple as logging into a website or app.
For families worried about healthcare costs, this could be a lifesaver. And even if you’re not eligible for free insurance, the ABHA ID makes your health records easier to manage.
If you haven’t created yours yet, maybe now’s the time. Because in a country where medical emergencies often strike unannounced, having a digital health safety net can make all the difference.