iHealthRecord FAQs for Patients




1: What is an iHealthRecord? How much does this cost? Why is building an iHealthRecord a good idea?

The iHealthRecord is a secure and confidential interactive personal health record. This service not only stores personal health information for you and your loved ones, but it provides interactive programs that help you better understand medical conditions and medications. You can create, manage and share your personal health information with your physician, or another care giver in case of an emergency. There is no cost to patients for the iHealthRecord. Other features of an iHealthRecord are as follows:


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2: Who controls the iHealthRecord and who is protecting the privacy of my personal health data?

The privacy of iHealthRecords will be overseen by the iHealth Alliance a not-for-profit healthcare advisory board established to protect the interests of physicians and patients. Your health information is securely stored on the Medem network, which was founded by the nation's medical societies, and cannot be sold or provided to any third parties without your permission. Although your medical information is available to you via the Internet, it is also secure; just as online banking and online stock accounts are available via the Internet but secure and only accessible by you using a user ID and password.


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3: Who can view my iHealthRecord and how do I know who has seen it?

You control access to your iHealthRecord and you provide access privileges to doctors, family members or emergency personnel. You can tell who has visited your iHealthRecord by using the log provided by the record. You will also be notified via email each day that someone accesses your iHealthRecord so that you can monitor its use.


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4: Do you sell patient data or sell advertising?

The iHealthRecord does not sell patient data nor use advertising. The service is funded by physician and hospital groups who license the service for their patients, through transaction fees paid when physicians offer Online Consultations for their patients, through integration fees paid for by software companies and by customized software fees paid for by health plans and medical manufacturers.


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5: Who should have an iHealthRecord?

Everyone. While you or a family member may not have major medical conditions, there is basic information that should be accessible for any patient at any time. This would include insurance information, allergies, vaccinations, emergency contact information. In addition, the iHealthRecord provides health and wellness tips and reminders. If you or a family member takes medications or has medical conditions; has been hospitalized or had surgeries, all the more reasons that an iHealthRecord is needed.


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6: What happens to my iHealthRecord if I change jobs, insurance plans, doctors, state of residence, etc.?

Your iHealthRecord is yours to keep. You will have access to your iHealthRecord even if you change jobs/doctors/insurance companies/ etc. The iHealthRecord is fully transferable and you can grant access to your iHealthRecord to new doctors even if you move or change jobs.


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7: Is anyone using the iHealthRecord service? What has their experience been?

Thousands of Americans have already built an iHealthRecord for themselves or for a family member or loved one. Surveys of iHealthRecord users indicate the following:


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8: What if I don't have all the information I need to fill out and iHealthRecord right now? What if I mistype the information in this record; Can I make changes?

Once you have created your personal Health Record, you can make any changes you deem necessary through the Overview page. The Overview page will contain a summary of your information, with links to go directly to any section or any entry to make additions, changes, or to remove information. You have complete control over your interactive health record at all times.


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9: How does information in my iHealthRecord get updated? What if I build an iHealthRecord and then just forget about it? How will it be updated and ready in case of an emergency?

Your iHealthRecord is something that you must own and initiate. For the record to be complete, you must contribute some information. Medem is building interfaces to electronic medical records in physician offices and hospitals, as well as links to allow health plans to update the iHealthRecord, but the record remains under your control. Your iHealthRecord will send you a quarterly reminder to keep the record current.


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10: How does the information get to my physician?

As the owner of your Interactive Personal Health Record, you decide which of your physicians will have access to view your record, and for what period of time that access is granted. All third parties to whom you have granted access will appear as a list in your Interactive Personal Health Record until you remove them. You can revoke access privileges at any time.


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11: How does this information get to a hospital ER in an emergency?

You are encouraged to identify a trusted third party to whom you grant privileges to your Interactive Personal Health Record access information. In the event of a medical emergency, this information could be important. If possible, this person should be the same individual identified as your emergency contact in your Interactive Personal Health Record.Medem makes a wallet card available for printing, which will present your basic information (assuming you provide it), including emergency contact, blood type, and allergies. You should keep a current copy of this wallet card with you at all times, and also share one with your emergency contact, to facilitate access to important information in your health record should the need arise.


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12: What are the computer/internet requirements to use this system?

The iHealthRecord works best when used with Microsoft Internet Explorer Version 5.5 or Netscape Version 7 or higher. Both browsers support the 128-bit security encryption level required to access all the features of the iHealthRecord.


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13: Should I print a copy of the iHealthRecord?

Multiple printing options are available. You can print your entire iHealthRecord or just selected parts of it, for your files and for your medical chart. But since the iHealthRecord is available via the Internet from anywhere in the world, it is not as important to print the record to ensure access. You are encouraged to print an iHealthRecord Emergency Wallet Card to keep with you at all times, which contains emergency contact and allergy information.


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14: What are iHealthRecord "Patient Education Programs"? Why should I sign up for these programs? Where do these programs come from?

IHealthRecord patient education programs focus upon medical conditions, treatment and medication adherence. The programs are created using trusted medical society patient information or FDA-approved patient education materials. Educational programs are from the FDA, CDC and other respected health authorities to help you better understand and manage your health.


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15: Should I ask my doctor about these programs?

Yes. Patient education programs help you to better manage your health and medications.


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With iHealth You Can Safely and Confidentially:

  • Request a non-urgent appointment with your doctor
  • Receive your lab and x-ray results
  • Securely ask your doctor questions
  • Access education materials
  • Create your own interactive personal health record