India's healthcare system is undergoing a significant digital transformation. As part of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), the government has instituted the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) to encourage this shift. This programme guarantees improved access, efficiency and openness in healthcare services by promoting the adoption of digital health technologies among healthcare providers and digital solution companies.
To understand its impact better, let’s take a closer look at what the DHIS is and how it works.
What is Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS)?
The DHIS, launched under the ABDM Ayushman Bharat framework, seeks to encourage faster adoption of digital health systems by offering financial incentives to healthcare institutions and health tech companies. Notably, the scheme has now been extended until June 30, 2025, giving more stakeholders the opportunity to participate.
The main goal of the DHIS is to build a strong digital health ecosystem, where people can easily access their health records, arrange appointments and even choose services like individual health insurance. The scheme rewards ABDM-compliant healthcare facilities and digital solution providers, thereby supporting deeper integration into India’s growing digital health infrastructure.
Benefits of DHIS
For patients as well as healthcare providers, participating in the Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) offers several key advantages:
- Digital records help healthcare professionals access patient information quickly, leading to timely treatment.
- Hospitals, clinics and labs that contribute data to the ABDM network receive monetary rewards.
- Less paperwork and faster processing improve overall efficiency—especially for treatments and insurance claims.
- Patients can safely access their health history anytime, with their data protected under ABDM’s secure framework.
- Digitally linked records make it easier to manage services like health insurance, including individual policies.
Eligibility under DHIS
Participating in ABDM DHIS requires specific eligibility requirements:
- Registered and operational hospitals, clinics and diagnostic labs in India.
- Digital Solution Companies (DSCs) providing ABDM-compliant software.
- All entities must be ABDM-compliant and integrated with its ecosystem.
- Facilities must actively generate and link digital health records (e.g., prescriptions, lab reports, discharge summaries) to ABHA IDs.
Incentives under Digital Health Incentive Scheme
The incentives function as follows:
- Hospitals and clinics qualified for monetary incentives effectively produce and link patient data to ABHA IDs using ABDM.
- Companies offering ABDM-integrated software to labs or hospitals can also receive incentives, depending on how actively their client facilities contribute data.
- The more records a facility contributes, the greater the financial reward.
Documents required for ABDM DHIS
The following documents are required while applying for ABDM DHIS:
- Proof of establishment: Clinic, hospital or laboratory registration certificates.
- Valid bank account information.
- ABHA ID details for participating healthcare providers
- Certification or onboarding confirmation; user ID and credentials generated during ABDM registration
Proper documentation not only speeds up approval but also ensures continued eligibility for future benefits and upgrades.
How to register for DHIS?
Following the right procedures makes registering for the Digital Health Incentive Scheme simple.
- Visit the official ABDM webpage and select the DHIS registration option.
- Complete the registration form using exact facility or business information.
- Upload the required paperwork and offer ABDM compliance
- Link your facility to the ABDM Health Information Exchange (HIE) system.
- Start generating and linking digital health records to ABHA IDs.
- Track your data contributions and claim incentives as per the scheme guidelines.
Why do you need ABHA ID card for DHIS?
The ABHA ID is essential for participating in DHIS because:
- It provides a unique digital identity within the ABDM network.
- Only health records linked to an ABHA ID are eligible for incentives.
- It ensures faster access to healthcare services, diagnostics and insurance claims.
- It enables seamless continuity of care by storing lifetime health records across providers.
Healthcare facilities must encourage patients to ABDM register and create their ABHA IDs to maximise benefits under DHIS.
FAQs
- Who can apply for the DHIS incentives?
Hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs and digital solution companies that are ABDM compliant can apply.
- Is it mandatory to have an ABHA ID to avail of DHIS benefits?
Yes, health records must be linked to a valid ABHA ID for the records to be counted under the scheme.
- How can a hospital become ABDM compliant?
By registering on the ABDM portal and integrating digital systems that are compatible with the ABDM ecosystem.
- Are incentives the same for all types of facilities?
No, incentives vary based on the type of facility and the number of digital records generated.
- Does DHIS help in getting health insurance faster?
Yes, having linked digital health records can speed up processes related to health insurance and individual health insurance policies.
Conclusion
The Digital Health Incentive Scheme (DHIS) is a progressive step towards creating a seamless, secure and efficient healthcare ecosystem in India. However, even with such forward-looking initiatives in place, it's equally important to invest in individual health insurance. While digital health systems improve access and efficiency, a good health insurance plan offers financial protection against unexpected medical expenses