ABDM – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission – FAQs – Know About ABDM ~ India Posts' Retired Officers' Association

Tuesday, 28 September 2021

ABDM – Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission – FAQs – Know About ABDM

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), is a Government of India initiative, aimed at developing the backbone for a unified digital health infrastructure. Among other objectives, ABDM seeks to bridge the gap amongst multiple stakeholders that are a part of the healthcare ecosystem.

The key components of the PM-DHM include a Health ID — unique 14-digit health identification number — for every citizen that will also work as their health account. The health ID will enable access and exchange of health records of citizens with their consent.

The Health ID will be created by using a person’s basic details and mobile number or Aadhaar number. The personal health records can be linked and viewed with the help of a mobile application, a Healthcare Professionals Registry (HPR), and a Healthcare Facilities Registry (HFR).

Frequently Asked Questions on ABDM

Q1. What is ABDM ?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country. It aims to bridge the existing gap amongst different stakeholders of healthcare ecosystem through digital highways.

Q2. What is a Health ID ?

Anyone who wishes to participate in ABDM and have their health records available digitally must start by creating a Health ID. Health ID is a randomly generated 14 digit number used for the purposes of uniquely identifying persons, authenticating them, and threading their health records (only with their informed consent) across multiple systems and stakeholders.

Q3. What is a PHR Address ?

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Q4. What is HIE – CM ?

Health Information Exchange & Consent Manager (HIE-CM) refers to consent manager that enables consent management, and sharing & linking of personal health records for a user. ABDM has rolled out its own HIE-CM (Health Records Application). You can use your Health ID to sign up on the HIE-CM (Health Records Application). Multiple consent managers are likely to be available for patients to choose from in the near future.

Q5. How do I get a Health ID ?

You can get a Health ID by self-registration on the Health ID web portal or by downloading ABDM Health Records application from the Google Playstore. You can register here ABDM Health ID or download the Mobile application here Health Records. You may also request for creation of your Health ID at a participating health facility, which may include public/private hospitals, community health centre, health and wellness centres across India.

Q6. What all do I need to register for a Health ID ?

For Health ID creation through Mobile Number- Name, Year of Birth, Gender, Address, Mobile Number. For Health ID creation through Aadhaar- Name, Year of Birth, Gender, Address, Mobile Number, Aadhaar Number

Q7. Is Aadhaar mandatory to create a Health ID ?

No. The process of generation of Health ID involves voluntary usage of Aadhaar. If you do not want to use your Aadhaar for Health ID creation, you can simply use your Mobile Number accompanied with self declared information.

Q8. My Mobile Number is not linked to my Aadhaar Number. How do I authenticate my Aadhaar for Health ID creation ?

If you use your Aadhaar Number to create your Health ID on the Health ID portal, an OTP will be sent to the Mobile Number linked to your Aadhaar. If your Aadhaar is not linked to any mobile number, it is suggested that you visit the nearest participating facility, and opt for biometric authentication using Aadhaar Number. After successful authentication, you will obtain a Health ID at the facility itself.

Q9. Can I use ID documents other than Aadhaar for Health ID creation ?

Currently, ABDM supports Health ID creation via Mobile or Aadhaar. ABDM will soon roll out features that will support Health ID creation with other ID documents such as PAN card, Driving License, etc. in assisted mode at participating health facilities

Q10. Why can’t Aadhaar be used as a Health ID and why is an independent identification number required ?

The Section 7 of the Aadhaar and Other Laws (Amendment) Act, 2019 clearly states that “Every Aadhaar number holder to establish his identity, may voluntarily use his Aadhaar number in physical or electronic form by way of authentication or offline verification, or in such other form as may be notified, in such manner as may be specified by regulations.” The Aadhaar Act provides for the use of Aadhaar number as proof of identity of a person, subject to authentication.

However, the mandate of mandatory linkage of Aadhaar is restricted to availing only Direct Benefits Transfers (DBTs) and it can’t be for any other purpose. Thus, Aadhaar number holders may only voluntarily use Aadhaar Number to establish their identity. Therefore, a distinct, independent, unique identifier is required to be identified as a Health ID and hence, the health ID is different from the Aadhar ID and one should not be confused for the other. In the pilot, Health ID can be created and linked to the Aadhaar or an individual’s mobile number, as per his/her convenience.

ABDM is working towards introducing more ID documents to allow users to create their Health ID using other ID documents such as Driving License, PAN Card, Passport etc.Currently, Health ID is also linked to a PHR Application using easy to remember Health ID alias / PHR Address (e.g. xyz@ndhm) which enables a user to access/share health records and provide/revoke consent for data sharing. Going forward, it is proposed to make e-KYC mandatory for creation of Health ID and discontinue Health ID creation via mobile as a move towards creating a trustable and verified ID.

Q11. Is my Health ID unique?

Your Health ID is created by using your basic details in addition to your Mobile Number or Aadhaar Number. Your Health ID will be unique to you, and you will have the option to link all your health records to the Health ID. You can also choose to create multiple IDs to link different sets of health records with different Health IDs, however, it is recommended that you create only one Health ID.

Q12. Why does ABDM allow a user to have multiple health IDs ?

ABDM associates high value with a user’s privacy. ABDM believes that users are rightful custodians of their data, and can make rational decisions associated with its use. Given that healthcare is a sensitive subject, ABDM does not want to restrict users from linking different sets of health data with different Health IDs.

For instance, if a user wants to use a separate Health ID to access data related to their sexual history, ABDM will allow for such use.However, in order to establish a better continuum of care, it is recommended that users create & use only one Health ID. A unified longitudinal health history linked to a single Health ID can lead to informed healthcare decisions for a user

Q13. How long will the registration take ?

Complete registration takes less than 10 minutes as you are only required to fill your basic details,an authenticate your Mobile Number or Aadhaar Number

Q14. Do I have to submit any physical documents ?

As part of the existing process, you are not required to submit any physical documents anywhere. Enrolment of Health ID is paperless and hassle free. ABDM will soon be rolling out a feature to support Health ID creation in low resource settings in a paper based manner. However, the scope of the said process may be restricted only to delivery of government health benefit schemes

Q15. Are my health records safe and secure ?

ABDM does not store any of your health records. Your health records are stored with healthcare information providers as per their retention policies, and are shared over the ABDM network with encryption mechanisms only after your express consent

Q16. What do I do if I forget my password ?

You may login to your Health ID through Mobile OTP or Aadhaar linked Mobile OTP, as applicable, and set a new password. In case of persisting issues, please contact us at ndhm@nha.gov.in or call us on our toll free number – 1800-11-4477 / 14477

Q17. I have entered incorrect Password three times, and I am unable to login now ?

If you have been locked out of your Health ID account via Password, you can try other modes of authentication for login. One method of authentication (Password/ Mobile OTP/ Aadhaar OTP) gets disabled for 12 hours) on three consecutive incorrect attempts at a time. In this case, you can use the remaining methods to login, as applicable. However, you will not be able to login for 12 hours after you have been locked out from all three methods of login.

Q18. I no longer want to participate in ABDM. Can I delete my Health ID ?

ABDM now supports a feature that enables any participating user to opt out of the ABDM ecosystem. On availing the feature, a user can permanently delete or temporarily deactivate their Health ID.

In case of deactivation, a user can later choose to reactivate their Health ID.

On deletion, your Health ID will be permanently deleted, along with all your demographic details. You will not be able to retrieve any information tagged to your Health ID in future. You will never be able to access ABDM applications or any health records over the ABDM network with your deleted Health ID.

On deactivation, you will lose access to all ABDM applications for the period of deactivation. Until you reactivate your Health ID, you will not be able to share your Health ID at any health facility or share your health records over the ABDM network.s the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission?

The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), is a Government of India initiative, aimed at developing the backbone for a unified digital health infrastructure. Among other objectives, ABDM seeks to bridge the gap amongst multiple stakeholders that are a part of the healthcare ecosystem.

2) What are the benefits for registering in ABDM?

a. The implementation of ABDM is expected to significantly improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of health service delivery overall.
b. Patients will be able to securely store and access their medical records (such as prescriptions, diagnostic reports, and discharge summaries), and share them with health care providers to ensure appropriate treatment and follow-up.

3) I wish to register a grievance. What should I do?

Please register your grievance on grievance.ndhm.gov.in or call at our toll free number 1800-11-4477 / 14477 or you may send your grievance via post on given below address

To,
Grievance Redressal officer
Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission,
National Health Authority, 9th floor,
Tower1 Jeevan Bharti Building, Connaught Place, New Delhi- 110001

4) How to become a part of the ABDM Ecosystem?

If you are an integrator who would like to be a part of the ecosystem, kindly register for Sandbox access here https://sandbox.ndhm.gov.in/

5) Who can enroll on ABDM?

All entities/individuals as per the clause 2 of the health data management policy of ABDM https://ndhm.gov.in/publications/policies_regulations/health_data_management_policy . can enroll in the ABDM.

6) Is enrolling on ABDM compulsory?

No. Participating in ABDM is completely voluntary.

7) Are my health records safe and secure on ABDM Systems?

ABDM does not store any of your health records. Your health records are stored with healthcare information providers as per their retention policies and are shared over the ABDM network with encryption mechanisms only after your express consent.

8) Is there a fee involved for registration in ABDM systems?

There is no fee for registration in the ABDM systems.

9) How will my data be used by the government?

Anonymous records can be used by the government to make data driven public policy decisions. However, no individual’s information and health data shall be shared without their consent.

10) Will my records be shared with other doctors or health facility without my permission?

No, your records will be shared with the doctor or health facility only after your consent. In your consent you can customize and edit the permissions in terms of duration, type of records visible.