Digital Health Incentive Scheme 2024: Benefits, Eligibility, How to Apply
To digitize patient health records and link them to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Account (ABHA ID), the central government has extended the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) for an additional year. Originally launched on January 1, 2023, the scheme will now continue until June 30, 2025. Additionally, the Centre has requested states and union territories to provide details on how the funds allocated under the program have been utilized. Read on for more detailed information regarding the Digital Health Incentive Scheme.
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The National Health Authority (NHA) runs a nationwide program called the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS), which was launched on January 1, 2023, to promote the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). The ABDM aims to establish a robust digital health ecosystem in India, improving access to health insurance, especially for the elderly.
The DHIS supports the implementation of this mission across the country. As of now, 1205 health institutions have registered under this scheme, including 638 private and 567 public institutions. Additionally, 25 digital solution providers have also signed up, benefiting a wide range of governmental and private organizations.
DHIS Scheme Objective
The Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) aims to foster public acceptance of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and enhance the adoption of digital healthcare services. In alignment with ABDM’s objective to provide digital health services to all citizens, the scheme seeks to encourage and support healthcare facilities such as clinics, diagnostic centers, hospitals, and labs in adopting these services. The incentives under DHIS are calculated based on digital transactions conducted by these healthcare facilities as part of ABDM.
Benefits of Digital Health Incentive Scheme
Here are some of the main advantages of the Digital Health Incentive Scheme:
- Utilizing digitization ensures evidence-based, high-quality care and rapid access to medical records.
- It promotes enhanced health insurance coverage and strengthens the digital health ecosystem across various healthcare facilities.
- It ensures convenient access to patients’ longitudinal medical records and reduces administrative burdens related to medical procedures such as patient registration, inpatient admission, discharge, consultations, appointments, etc.
- It provides compensation to all healthcare facilities and digital solution providers for expenses incurred during the digitization process.
Healthcare Organisations Benefited from Digital Health Incentive Scheme
The following healthcare organisations benefited from Digital Health Incentive Scheme:
- Private hospitals include KIMS Hubbali Bengaluru and KGMU Lucknow, as well as public hospitals like AIIMS Bhopal, KC General Hospital, etc
- Providers of digital solutions, including Driefcase, Paytm, Bajaj Finserv, NIC, and CDAC
- Diagnostic laboratories such as Leo Clinical Lab Kannur and Indira Path Labs Delhi
How would it affect medical facilities?
Healthcare facilities that invest in digitizing their operations can receive reimbursement under this initiative. The transition of hospitals to digital health has often been hindered by the substantial costs involved. To adopt digital practices, hospitals and clinics need to invest in laptops, PCs, internet connectivity, and software like HMIS/LMIS. Shifting from traditional to digital workflows also requires behavioral changes. This initiative mirrors the incentives provided to promote UPI adoption.
How many digital health startups and hospitals have taken advantage of this offer?
As per the public dashboard, 4,005 healthcare facilities, including 1,085 private facilities, and 41 DSCs, including 36 commercial enterprises, have enrolled in the program. According to a senior official from the National Health Authority overseeing the DHIS, 584 healthcare facilities (including 83 private facilities) and 12 DSCs (including 10 private companies) have benefited from the initiative.
The total disbursed amount so far is approximately Rs 34.5 crore. Of this, Rs 24.91 crore has been allocated to healthcare facilities (Rs 24.24 crore to public facilities and Rs 66.88 lakh to private facilities), while Rs 9.59 crore has been allocated to DSCs (Rs 6.34 crore to public DSCs and Rs 3.25 crore to private DSCs). Public DSCs include entities like the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), which provide eHospital and eSushrut solutions to government hospitals.
What possible benefits does it offer the patients?
Patients benefit from improved healthcare services and increased convenience through DHIS, as it enables healthcare providers to adopt digital practices. Digital transactions reduce waiting times for patients. For quick OPD registrations, patients can simply scan a QR code. They can securely review, access, and share their health records with healthcare providers. Without this program, hospitals might have charged patients for digitization services. Digital records help prevent redundant tests, particularly beneficial for migrant workers and patients relocating between states.
Required Documents for Digital Health Incentive Scheme
Some of the important documents required for Digital Health Incentive Scheme are as follows:
- PAN card
- Account Holder Name
- Bank Account number
- Name of Bank Branch
- Address of Bank Branch
- IFSC code of the branch
- Cancelled Cheque
Digital Health Incentive Scheme Incentives
Type of Entity | Base Level Criteria | Incentives |
Digital Solution Companies | For hospitals/clinics /labs /nursing homes using their software | 5 rupees per transaction per month |
Hospitals/Clinics/Nursing homes | 100 transactions per month | 20 rupees per additional transaction above the base level. |
Diagnostic Facilities/Labs | 100 transactions per month | 20 rupees per additional transaction above the base level. |
For health locker/teleconsultation transactions | 500 rupees transactions per month, 5 rupees per additional transaction above the base level. | |
Insurance Provider | For every insurance claim transaction linked with ABHA address filled by hospital through Health Claim Exchange | 500 rupees per claim or 10 percent of the claim amount, whichever is lower. |
Steps to Submit a Claim for Incentives through Digital Health Incentive Scheme
Follow the below given steps to submit a claim for Incentives through Digital Health Incentive Scheme
- First of all, create an account on the Health Facility Registry (HFR).
![Digital Health Incentive Scheme](https://cfw42.rabbitloader.xyz/eyJjIjp0cnVlLCJoIjoicG1tb2RpeW9qYW5hLmluIiwidiI6NjA0MjkyMzk0fQ/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-152-2048x1038.png)
- Use an ABDM-compatible software or use the ABHA mobile app.
- Register for DHIS using your HFR ID.
- Log into your HFR profile to redeem the incentive.
FAQ’s
Health facilities (hospitals, diagnostic labs) and Digital Solution Companies (DSCs) registered under ABDM’s Health Facility Registry (HFR) are eligible to participate in the programme.
Yes, but incentives for settling claims will be calculated every calendar month according to the given criteria in compliance with DHIS standards.