To digitize patient health records and link them with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Health Account (ABHA ID), the central government has extended the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) for another year, now continuing until June 30, 2025. Launched on January 1, 2023, this initiative aims to improve healthcare efficiency. The government has also requested states and union territories to report on the utilization of the funds received under this program. Read on for more details about the Digital Health Incentive Scheme.
What is Digital Health Incentive Scheme
The National Health Authority (NHA) runs a nationwide program called the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS). This program was launched on January 1, 2023, to support the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which aims to create a robust digital health ecosystem in India. By implementing the DHIS, the NHA encourages the nationwide adoption of the ABDM, providing better access to health insurance for older adults.
The Digital Health Incentive Scheme benefits many government and private organizations. Currently, 1,205 health institutions have registered under this plan, including 638 private and 567 public institutions. Additionally, 25 digital solution providers have also signed up to participate in the scheme.
Digital Health Incentive Scheme Objective
The Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) aims to promote public acceptance of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) and increase the use of digital healthcare services. Alongside ABDM’s goal of providing digital health services to every citizen, the scheme encourages healthcare facilities—such as clinics, diagnostic centers, hospitals, and labs—to adopt these services. Incentives under the ABDM will be calculated based on the digital transactions made by these healthcare facilities.
Digital Health Incentive Scheme Benefits
Some key benefits of the Digital Health Incentive Scheme include:
- The program ensures evidence-based, high-quality care and rapid access to medical records through digitization.
- It enhances health insurance services and strengthens the digital health ecosystem at various healthcare facilities.
- The scheme provides easy access to patients’ complete medical histories and reduces the workload associated with medical procedures such as patient registration, IPD admission, discharge, consultations, and appointments.
- Payments are made to all medical facilities and digital solution providers to cover the costs incurred during the digitization process.
Healthcare Organisations Benefited from Digital Health Incentive Scheme
The Digital Health Incentive Scheme has benefited the following healthcare organizations:
- Private Hospitals: Examples include KIMS in Hubbali and Bengaluru, as well as KGMU in Lucknow.
- Public Hospitals: Institutions like AIIMS in Bhopal and KC General Hospital.
- Providers of Digital Solutions: Companies such as Driefcase, Paytm, Bajaj Finserv, NIC, and CDAC.
- Diagnostic Laboratories: Facilities like Leo Clinical Lab in Kannur and Indira Path Labs in Delhi.
These organizations have leveraged the scheme to enhance their digital health infrastructure and services.
How would it affect medical facilities
Hospitals that invest in digitizing their facilities can receive reimbursements through this scheme. The transition to digital health is often hindered by significant costs, including the purchase of laptops, PCs, internet connections, and software like HMIS/LMIS. Moving from traditional to digital methods also requires a change in behavior. The scheme is akin to 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 have registered for the programme, including 1,085 private ones, and 41 Digital Solution Centers (DSCs), with 36 being commercial businesses. According to a senior official from the National Health Authority overseeing the DHIS, 584 healthcare facilities have benefited from the programme, including 83 private ones, and 12 DSCs, ten of which are private companies.
The total disbursed amount to date 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 allotted to DSCs (Rs 6.34 crore to public DSCs and Rs 3.25 crore to private DSCs). Public DSCs include entities such as the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the 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 enhanced convenience through the DHIS, which enables healthcare providers to adopt digital practices. Digital transactions reduce patient waiting times, and QR codes facilitate quick OPD registrations. Patients 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 unnecessary duplicate tests, which is particularly beneficial for migrant workers and patients relocating between states.
Digital Health Incentive Scheme Required Documents
Some of the important documents required for the Digital Health Incentive Scheme include:
- PAN card
- Account Holder Name
- Bank Account number
- Name of Bank Branch
- Address of Bank Branch
- IFSC code of the branch
- Cancelled Cheque
These documents are necessary for processing and verifying the incentives provided under the scheme.
Digital Health Incentive Scheme Incentives
| Type of Entity | Base Level Criteria | Incentives |
| Digital Solution Companies | 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 |
| Health Locker/Teleconsultation transactions | 500 rupees transactions per month | 5 rupees per additional transaction above the base level |
| Insurance Provider | 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 |
These criteria and incentives outline how different entities can qualify for and benefit from the Digital Health Incentive Scheme based on their activities and transaction levels.
Steps to Submit a Claim for Incentives through Digital Health Incentive Scheme
Here are the steps to submit a claim for incentives through the Digital Health Incentive Scheme:
- Create an account on the Health Facility Registry (HFR): Begin by registering on the Health Facility Registry (HFR) to establish your healthcare facility’s presence.
- Use ABDM-compatible software or the ABHA mobile app: Utilize software compatible with the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) or access the ABHA mobile app for digital health services.
- Register for DHIS using your HFR ID: Enroll in the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) by linking your Health Facility Registry (HFR) ID to participate in the scheme.
- Log into your HFR profile to redeem the incentive: Access your Health Facility Registry (HFR) profile and follow the prompts to claim and redeem the incentives available under the scheme.
These steps guide healthcare facilities through the process of claiming incentives under the Digital Health Incentive Scheme by leveraging digital health tools and platforms.