Personal Health Records
For decades, the medical system has controlled individual health records—a hospital or clinic would hold your medical records and you would fill out a paper form to receive a copy of your own information.
Today, electronic medical records are changing that. Many hospitals and providers now offer electronic medical records that patients can access—many systems even allow patients to schedule appointments and pharmacy refills online, and to contact providers via email. Yet, the records are still maintained by the hospital or clinic.
But many people are looking to take more control over their own health and health care. One way is by creating a Personal Health Record for yourself and your family. Free consumer-based online options are now available from companies like Microsoft and Google, as well as through other groups like WebMD.
The information below is provided to give you options for creating an online Personal Health Record.
Online Resources
Microsoft has created this online tool to allow individuals to organize their own health records and information in one place. HealthVault allows you to decide what goes into your personal health record and who can access it (e.g., you can give your health care provider access). All of your information is kept private and confidential (read the HealthVault privacy policy).
With google health you can manage your health information and access it anytime and anywhere. Features include building an online health profile, the option to import medical records from hospitals and pharmacies, a place to share your health records with family, friends, and doctors, as well as an online health services directory. All of your information is kept private and confidential (read the Google Health privacy policy).
The WebMD health manager allows users to create personal health records that store lifelong health information that can be shared with authorized users. Within the Health Manager, WebMD also provides health assessments, a personalized health plan, and more; all designed to maximize your personal health benefits. All of your information is kept private and confidential (read the WebMD privacy policy).
In addition to offering Personal Health Records for patients, Medfusion also provides tools where patients can communicate online with their physician for such items as requesting appointments, filling out paperwork, requesting prescription renewals and even conducting online visits. All of your information is kept private and confidential (read the Medfusion privacy policy).
Online Resources Associated with Private Insurers
With features such as information on your health practitioners, personal medical records, a pharmacy center, appointment center, message center, and a place to manage your health plan, Kaiser provides a place to access your health and health plan information in one safe and convenient place. All of your information is kept private and confidential (read the Kaiser privacy policy).
This online resource and information tool helps you manage your health. Each covered member can earn rewards, set up health records, ask questions and receive responses from experts, access online content such as health and medication information, receive wellness and condition specific information, as well as a place to complete a health risk assessment. All of your information is kept private and confidential (read the Blue Cross Blue Shield privacy statement).
A gateway to Veteran health benefits and services, My HealtheVet provides access to trusted health information, links to Federal and VA benefits and resources, a Personal Health Journal, and online VA prescription refill. All your information is kept private and confidential (read the My HealtheVet privacy policy).
Access multitudes of online services through MyGroupHealth for members. Such services include requesting upcoming appointments, exchanging emails with your health care team, viewing online medical records as well as lab and test results, refilling prescriptions online, viewing coverage documents, and access to in-depth and up-to-date health information. All of your information is kept private and confidential (read the Group Health privacy policy).
MyRegence.com offers comprehensive, health-related information, including original health and lifestyle content, community message boards, cost and quality comparison tools, health programs, personal benefits and Rx information, and many other resources to help members take charge of their health. All of your information is kept private and confidential (read the Regence privacy policy).
Aetna’s Personal Health Records is an easy way to organize and store health information online. It keeps track of medications, vaccinations and doctors, personal health history, and alerts tailored to the information you have stored. All of your information is kept private and confidential (read Aetna's privacy notices).
