205. Daily Rules Recap - Mandatory Linking of CGHS ID with Ayushman Bharat Health Account ID
• The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MOH&FW), through its Office Memorandum (OM) dated January 2023, instructed the linking of CGHS (Central Government Health Scheme) IDs with ABHA (Ayushman Bharat Health Account) IDs. CGHS has since developed and completed the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) platform for this purpose.
• An Ayushman Bharat Health Account number is a randomly generated 14-digit number. This account will enable individuals to access their health records, from registration to treatment, in a paperless manner across multiple ABDM-registered healthcare providers. All medical reports linked to ABHA will be stored and can be accessed, but they will not be shared with others without the explicit approval of the concerned person. An ABHA Address serves as a unique identifier to access these health records and can be generated through the ABHA Mobile application.
Initially, this linking was not compulsory; it was optional. However, as per the OM dated March 28, 2024, it has now been made mandatory for all CGHS beneficiaries, effective from January 1, 2024. All existing CGHS beneficiaries were initially required to complete the linking within 30 days.
o Subsequently, the deadline for linking the ABHA number with the CGHS card was extended via a memo dated April 15, 2024, which laid down a new timeframe:
• Creation of ABHA ID (ABHA Number): Within 3 months from June 30, 2024.
• Linking of ABHA Number with CGHS Card: Within 120 days from June 30, 2024.
• Additionally, KIOSKS are to be made operational at all CGHS Centers by June 30, 2024. From July 1, 2024, onwards, CGHS beneficiaries may visit their nearest wellness center on a need basis for updating their mobile number, making any necessary corrections, and linking their CGHS beneficiary ID to their ABHA number.
• All Central Government (CG) Unions have recorded their concern and are demanding the cancellation of this linking with ABHA, fearing that CGHS facilities would be diluted due to the integration. They argue that CGHS beneficiaries should not be treated on par with BPL/ABHA beneficiaries and that there should be no restriction on availing treatment from CGHS-approved hospitals.
(Director CGHS No Z15025/23/2023/DIR/CGHS dated 15.4.2024)
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