A blog about the latest updates, stories and ideas from the OneRecord team.

The latest updates, stories and ideas from the OneRecord team.

The OneRecord Blog

There are so many innovations in healthcare and health care legislation including HITECH Act, Cures Act, and even the recent pandemic.  They have forced certain technological trends to catch on much faster than usual to meet demands for more innovation. Here are a few directions healthcare will take which are sure to pick up speed over the next several years.

This is the Future of Healthcare

Healthcare in 2021 is nothing like healthcare ten years ago. The biggest differences are found in the gradual integration of technology into the management of our health, particularly from the patient-end of the experience. Jumpstarts to the healthcare system—such as the HITECH Act, Cures Act, and even the recent pandemic—have forced certain technological trends to catch on much faster than usual to meet demands for innovation. Here are a few directions healthcare will take which are sure to pick up speed over the next several years. Fasten your seatbelts!

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic all but secured telehealth’s place in healthcare for good. Once an emerging technology, the use of virtual health visits became a necessity while struggling practices and providers navigated the worldwide lockdowns and quarantines. Telehealth not only allowed physicians to speak with, diagnose, and treat their patients in safety, but also proved convenient for patients who preferred to be seen without leaving their homes. In fact, over one third of health-related visits throughout last year were conducted via telehealth.

More and more practices are investing in telehealth ever since the pandemic flared up in order to cope with the virtual option’s surge in popularity. After all, receiving care from home not only increases the accessibility of check-ups, follow-ups, and evaluations—it also improves the speed and convenience of such appointments, leading to savings for both the patient and the provider. COVID-19 sparked a revolution for telehealth, and it isn’t dying down any time soon!

Chronic diseases include lifestyle illnesses like diabetes, cancer, and a tendency for strokes, but others like Crohn’s disease, Lyme disease, and Lupus are relatively recent discoveries, with their first diagnosed cases appearing within the last 100 years or so (Lyme disease was first diagnosed in 1970!). As a result, some chronic illnesses are not well understood and have been handled by professionals with mild skepticism and caution. But seeing as six in ten Americans live with at least one chronic disease, physicians are continually researching better methods of managing the symptoms of these setbacks.

One up-and-coming solution to the problem includes artificial intelligence. Many technologies and apps are recognizing the need for keeping a consistent watch on patients with chronic diseases. Whereas a doctor can’t be constantly with their patients to monitor for symptoms, specialized A.I. technologies designed to track pain, diagnose problems, and store findings are already passing clinical trials throughout the world. In the coming years, it is expected that artificial intelligence will make up the bulk of chronic disease management technology.

The future of healthcare is deeply centered around giving patients greater control over their own health. Without emphasizing patient health as the primary goal of healthcare, the industry simply cannot move forward. Although this sounds like a no-brainer, don’t forget that the traditional healthcare approach involves patients filling out stacks of papers and twiddling their thumbs in waiting rooms. Providers are often distracted by the process of health management rather than focusing on the patient experience.

But as technology becomes more incorporated with hospitals and providers, the shift from process to patient is inevitable. Patient engagement steps to the forefront of importance. The process becomes automated and driven by the end-user, leaving more room for patient interaction and personalized check-ins with doctors. In the future, patients will have more options than ever before as they enjoy the freedom of shopping for providers, utilizing remote check-ins, changing appointment times with ease, and viewing their insurance coverage at a glance. These changes lean toward a patient-centric healthcare system, which is in everyone’s benefit!

It is clear that technology will play a vital role in the transformation of healthcare over the next decade. With computers and applications taking over the humdrum tasks health professionals are faced with every day, providers are able to deliver better experiences for their informed patients.

But how will patients stay informed? By tracking their own health records. Transparency between doctors and patients is key for users to take full advantage of these progressive health management systems. The OneRecord app was built to give patients full control over their medical information, empowering them to make better healthcare decisions from one convenient, mobile platform. Learn more about how OneRecord can keep all your health history updated without the worry of doing it yourself!

What Does the Future of Healthcare Look Like? 

Fasten your seatbelts 'cause healthcare is sure to pick up speed over the next several years!

Here are the differences between the two leading health apps: Apple Health and OneRecord.  Read on to find out everything you need to know about how they compare and what sets them apart.  This comparison is important to patients looking to advance their health journey in the best ways possible.

How is OneRecord Different Than Apple Health?

Whether you’re a frequent user of the OneRecord app or have never even considered your options for digitally tracking your health data, it pays to understand the growing industry. As technology becomes more and more of an integral part of America’s healthcare system, many different providers and practices are facing a sink-or-swim crisis: either they adopt reliable electronic health record solutions or face the legal (and business) repercussions.

The merging of healthcare and technology for patients and end-users is a big deal, which is why giant companies like Apple have innovated with their own software. Acting as the official Apple application for tracking health records and day-to-day health routines, the Apple Health App comes integrated within many of Apple’s smart devices, leading to a wide acceptance and usage across their customer base.

But how does Apple Health compare to OneRecord? What sets them apart? Keep reading to find out!

Apart from any practical differences, the Apple Health App is run by Apple, a corporate giant whose solutions and products span many different niches. Healthcare, in fact, is a relatively new market the company is dipping its toe in. Such a broad umbrella of customers to appeal to—coupled with a monumental reputation—has led to consumer distrust toward the Apple Health App. After all, Apple isn’t traditionally a healthcare company and does not focus all of its resources on securing health information.  A study in 2020 indicated that the vast majority of patients do not trust tech companies like Apple to keep their records safe.

The OneRecord app was created by seasoned healthcare professionals and advocates specifically to bring power to the user. This includes benefiting patients, providers, and hospitals alike. Alongside the vision of OneRecord Founder and CEO, Jennifer Blumenthal—who holds a position as both the Chair of Consumer Facing Technology in the CareQuality Committee and the Chair of Privacy and Security in the Operating Committee— OneRecord takes health information seriously and has gone to many lengths to make sure privacy and accessibility mesh seamlessly.

The Apple Health App can be convenient for Apple smart device owners because it often comes pre-installed and fully integrated with Apple products, meaning users don’t even need to bother downloading and installing it. Being ready for immediate use has the potential to introduce many newcomers to the idea of health tracking apps.

But the app’s first party design comes at a cost: the Apple Health App is only available on the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple’s other products. While it’s true that Apple has many users in the United States, other competitors such as Google and Amazon have stolen a bit of the limelight, leaving a swath of people locked out of Apple Health.

Striving to empower the patient as much as possible, the OneRecord app is readily available across multiple devices and operating systems, including Google Play, web browsers, and even through Apple’s own App Store. This allows people of all backgrounds to give it a go regardless of their technology preferences! Control of your health records should be a right for everyone, after all.

Accessibility is the driving force behind healthcare legislation such as the Cures Act and HITECH Act. As such, it’s crucial that health record apps are on point when it comes to the user experience. Confusing layouts and convoluted setup processes defeat the purpose.

While the Apple Health App is certainly accessible for its users, it loses out on health record tracking because the functionality is often lost within the scope of the entire app. The application was initially intended as a means for tracking health habits such as steps, diet, and sleep…and to that end, it performs well! Only later did its ability to track health records get added in. In fact, the Health Record Setup’s location at the very bottom of the app’s browsing tab is easy to miss.

The OneRecord app puts user experience first with an intuitive layout that is easy to navigate. The step-by-step process for locating your health providers is simple, and the app even updates your records with every healthcare visit you make instead of requiring you to manually put new information in as you go.

When designing OneRecord, our mission was very clear: create a powerful and accessible healthcare management experience and put it in the hands of as many people as possible. The marriage of technology and healthcare is only complete when patients and users have full control over their health records. Learn more about how OneRecord can consolidate all of your records into one place—simply.

Wondering about the ? Here's what you need to know.

Wondering about the differences between the two leading health apps? Here's what you need to know.

Here’s the gist of how to get your medical records into your Apple Health App.

How to Get Your Medical Records On the Apple Health App

OneRecord

Ever since releasing groundbreaking devices like the original iPod Touch, Apple’s knack for technological innovation has extended through its lines of iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches. It comes as no surprise that Apple has now expanded its horizons to the healthcare industry in the form of Apple Health.  

Coming prepackaged in most of Apple’s products means that the application is easily accessible and simple to find. But as useful as the Apple Health App is for tracking steps and managing diets, many of its users want to take it a step further by integrating their medical records into their smart devices. So does Apple Health contain this functionality?

Does Apple Health Offer Medical Record Tracking?

The short answer is: yes. Although the Apple Health App was initially created for monitoring personal health goals, the program has since been upgraded to allow users to import health information from supported practices, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. This is a particularly useful feature for keeping an eye on your medical records across your Apple devices.

Unfortunately, this handy highlight of the app is often missed by users due to its somewhat hidden nature. Here’s the gist of how to get your medical records into your Apple Health App.

How To Import Your Health Information To Apple Health

First, locate the Apple Health App on your smart device and open it up. Choose the “Browse” tab at the bottom of the screen to reach a list of all the app’s functions listed under “Health Categories.” Scroll all the way down the list to find a “Health Records” section hidden away. Select “Add an Account” to get started.

Your device will then ask to know your location. If you select yes, the suggestions list will automatically populate with nearby hospitals, clinics, and private practices in the area which are compatible with Apple Health. Scroll through the names until you find your provider. Choose its title, and the app will present a summary of data your provider can share with the Apple Health App, along with connection options within that provider’s online portal. Tap “Connect to Account.” Once you get through the portal’s login process, your health history will be available to store in the Apple Health App.

If you deny your device to know your location, you’ll have to manually search for your provider of choice. 

After your medical records are imported, you can navigate back to the “Browse” tab and find your health records automatically imported to the app under the “Health Records” section at the bottom. From here you can view important aspects of your health history with the providers you integrate, including clinical visits, testing results, diagnoses, and lab work.

Repeat this process for each healthcare source you wish to add, and soon you’ll have access to your health information at a glance. But before you do...

Get Your Health Records On Any Device With OneRecord

Although Apple Health is effective and convenient, it suffers from the same problem Apple’s other first-party endeavors experience: being landlocked to Apple products only. This creates difficult situations when trying to view your health records from different devices like PCs or Android phones. The troubles are even greater for people who don’t even own an Apple product, meaning Apple Health is altogether unusable for them. And sharing data with doctors or family members that are not in the Apple ecosystem is a hassle.

With OneRecord these problems are solved.  Our team at OneRecord is devoted to bringing the full control of your health information back into your hands, regardless of your technology preferences. 

The OneRecord app was made specifically to organize your medical records across multiple platforms and devices—including Apple products. Never worry about compatibility issues again - download the OneRecord app now to store all of your health records in one place, wherever and whenever you need them. 

Download on the Apple App Store or Google Play. Or get started on the web here. 

Can I Get My Medical Records On the Apple Health App?

As digital healthcare advances in leaps in bounds—both technologically and legalistically—the need for consumer access to their own health records has never been higher. So which digital health record app should you choose? Here are the differences between MyChart and the Apple Health App, and everything you need to know about them.

What’s the Difference Between MyChart and the Apple Health App?

Not sure which health apps do what? When there’s an app for everything, the process of selecting a method for tracking your medical information and health habits can be confusing, to say the least. Of the many applications out there, two of the most well-known are MyChart and the Apple Health App. But to the uninformed user, the nuances of these two digital options can easily blur together. Here are the differences between MyChart and the Apple Health App, and everything you need to know about them.

MyChart, developed by Epic, is an integrative digital solution when it comes to gathering your medical records from different hospitals, clinics, and practices onto your computer or smart device. Many different health organizations are compatible with the app (but unfortunately not all), meaning there are ways to view your prescriptions, lab results, tests, diagnoses, and other important information to keep track of. In most cases, collecting your health history involves using an access portal with your healthcare provider. MyChart is available on Apple’s App Store and Google Play.

While MyChart is handy for those situations when you want to organize your health records in a digital format, the app does have a reputation for taking some time to learn how to use. Some features—such as the messaging system—are not straightforward, and some users claim the interface is puzzling. Nevertheless, MyChart is one of the more popular options for managing your own health and your family’s health on the go.

Users of iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches may be aware of Apple’s own health management app, but many are unfamiliar with its actual use. The Apple Health App is an application packaged with most of Apple’s smart devices and helps your view and organize your personal, everyday health goals. Its features include tracking steps, diet, sleep, symptoms, vitals, and even mindfulness—the time you spend meditative and calm. The ease of use here is key: since the Apple Health App is first party, it is already seamlessly integrated with most Apple smart devices. This means there are no download hassles involved!

The Apple Health App does include functionality to connect with your medical records through supported EHR vendors, and can actually connect with MyChart in several cases to pull your information together. The primary downside of Apple Health, however, is also its benefit: being first party. This means only owners of Apple devices can use the Apple Health App. Seeing as a little over 50% of North America are iPhone users, that leaves the rest of the demographic without the ability to use Apple Health.

Bottom Line - Which Is The Best Solution?

As healthcare advances in leaps in bounds—both technologically and legalistically—the need for consumer access to their own health records has never been higher. Likewise, with the rising dependence on digital outlets to control patient’s health data electronically, it has never been more important to take control of your own medical records. Apps like MyChart and Apple Health help in this regard, but both still suffer from certain accessibility issues.

OneRecord is the clear choice for universal usability and accessibility.  With an app like OneRecord, you can expect a first-class, user-friendly interface that is as simple as it is powerful. You’ll be able to pull your health information into one place and view it from any device—iOS, Android, and web browsers.  Digital health management shouldn’t be hard or confusing or siloed to one operating system.  Get OneRecord for all your records, in one place.  

As digital healthcare advances in leaps in bounds—both technologically and legalistically—the need for consumer access to their own health records has never been higher. So which digital health record app should you choose?

Here's the Difference Between MyChart and the Apple Health App

When you need your medical records, you need them ASAP.  Here are four methods for getting copies of your health records. Learn how to get your medical records digitally or paper copies.

How to Get Copies of Your Medical Records

Do you have doctor's appointments, treatments, and prescriptions to juggle? Does your medical report feel like an Easter egg hunt? Full control over your personal health and wellness begins with direct access to your medical info. But if you make frequent visits to doctor offices, hospitals, nursing homes, or treatment centers, tracking down the bulk of your medical information can quickly become overwhelming! Here are four methods for you to collect your electronic health information and take back true ownership of your medical records.

Most healthcare providers today utilize online methods of storing health information to keep it on file in an easy-to-share format. Unlike paper records, electronic health information (EHI) can be seamlessly shared between various electronic health records, clinics, and doctors who need to coordinate with your other healthcare outlets. Digital storage has the added benefit of giving you a simple way to download your records to your computer or smart device. Check-in with your provider to learn if your information can be securely accessed from their website or online platform.

While the provider portal method is usually straightforward, it can still prove to be a chore when your health information is scattered across different healthcare facilities and EHRs. But thankfully, emerging healthcare technology solutions have streamlined this process to round up your data automatically! Personal health apps—like OneRecord—can be conveniently accessed on your phone, computer, laptop, or most other smart devices and pull all of your records into one secure place. These apps eliminate the need to scour the internet and make time-consuming phone calls. By verifying your healthcare providers, all of your information is instantly transferred to your app to view at a glance. OneRecord even updates your records as you go, meaning less time hunting down doctors and more time managing what really matters: your health!

3. Request Medical Records From Your Providers

If one or more of your providers don’t use electronic medical records or online portals to store your health information, you may need to settle for the old-fashioned approach: requesting the records manually from each of your healthcare services. This can take on the form of phone calls, email, or even visiting the location in person. In these hands-on scenarios, you will likely be asked by a medical records technician or other staff members to sign a medical release form which gives the facility permission to transfer the documents into your hands. The format these records use may differ from clinic to clinic—some may prefer to send your digital documents over secure email, while others will hand you papers. It will be your job to organize and compile the information through this method, but formally requesting your health data is still as viable of a solution as ever.

Just like in the case of provider portals, many labs will use lab portals to store your data and test results from different evaluations and scans. These could be separate from the portals you’d traditionally use to access your medical report. In most cases, you can retrieve lab results by pulling them directly from the facility’s lab portal online in a similar fashion to your other medical record sources. But thanks once more to technology, many health apps will also coordinate with your lab facilities to retrieve the data for you. A health information exchange (HIE) app like OneRecord has this feature built-in, making compiling those lab results a snap.

The Single Best Way to Get Your Medical Records

Despite the move to more efficient methods of health information storage such as EHRs and provider portals, the systems used by many healthcare outlets do not talk to each other well, meaning you might find yourself guessing where to find your records! In a few steps, the OneRecord app can save the day - by downloading the app, you’ll have quick access to all of your medical history at a glance whenever and wherever you need it. Managing your health has never been this easy! Download OneRecord today to manage your whole family’s health data in one place.

When you need your medical records, you need them ASAP.  Here are four methods for getting copies of your health records.

4 Ways to Get your Medical Records

Here are the many benefits that veterans and their families can enjoy with access to digital medical records.

Veterans, It’s Time to Take Control of Your Digital Health Data 

Are you a veteran? Or is a close friend or family member of yours a veteran? If so, we want to tell you about the many benefits that veterans and their families can enjoy with access to digital medical records. It's an exciting time where new technology makes it easy and secure to find your records, even as a veteran! So if you’re ready to operate more effectively in your healthcare journey, read on to see why taking control of your digital health data will empower an understanding of your health and remove the stress of health organization from your life.

Many veterans receive medical care from both VA healthcare facilities as well as civilian healthcare facilities over the course of a lifetime. But few ever get to see all their health data consolidated in one place at one time. Veterans, with your digital health records you have the ability to see all your data in one place. Gaining insight into up-to-date personal health data allows patients to know the trends and patterns in their health history. And having a clear picture of your health history will allow any veteran to effectively communicate with healthcare providers and insurance companies to receive the best care at the best cost.

Looking After a Spouse, Sibling, or Family Member

For many of us, the only thing more important than our own health is the health of our family members and loved ones. One of the best ways to improve care, for anyone looking after a veteran, is by keeping track of their digital health data for them. Free digital health apps like OneRecord make it easy for veteran family members to securely access their family’s medical data right from their smartphone, with permission from the veteran of course. We need to take care of each other and ensure our loved ones are healthy and getting the best care possible. 

P.S. you’ll also be saving time by not rummaging around sorting through paper records, too.

When it comes to medical history and medical records it can be difficult to know where to even begin. You have your health records from childhood, your records from clinics or circumstantial procedures, and your records from your regularly scheduled appointments.  

But how can you keep track of all these documents and information?  By keeping all your medical documents in a safe digital space you can skip the process of tracking down multiple healthcare providers and the long calls with insurance companies. Plus you won’t need to keep a filing cabinet in the middle of your home.  Having all your medical documents in the same place makes the idea of managing your healthcare a lot less daunting. With OneRecord you can consolidate all your medical documents and have them at your fingertips, whenever you need them.

Veterans, you’ve served our country and now OneRecord has the honor of serving you - by providing you all your health data in one place! Although we only named a few examples, there are many more ways that accessing your digital health data can help give you full autonomy over what matters most: your health. 

Download OneRecord for Free & Build Your OneRecord Today

Ready to operate more effectively in your healthcare journey and remove unwanted stress of healthcare organization from your life?

Here are some helpful steps to obtain proof of your vaccination history because, ultimately, the best policy when it comes to vaccination cards is to be proactive about your storage and handling of them.

Lost Your Vaccination Card? Here’s What To Do

Already lost your vaccination card? Don’t panic. There are a number of steps you can take in order to restore proof of your vaccination.  Here are some helpful steps to obtain proof of your vaccination history. 

COVID-19 vaccination sites are required to report data within 72 hours in their state’s immunization system so although you may not have physical proof, there are databases that can be accessed in order to confirm your vaccination status. 

The first step that the CDC recommends is to contact your vaccination provider, which means the location where you received your shot. When provided with a valid form of ID, the vaccination providers should be able to look you up in their system and promptly provide you a new vaccination card with the same exact information as before. 

If you are unable to contact your vaccination provider, you can then reach out to your state health department’s immunization information system (IIS) for assistance. The CDC itself does not store vaccination record information. Rather, each state has a website, phone number, or email address that you can access in order to find out how to gain personal vaccination records in your specific state.

For those of you who have not lost your vaccination card, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) still suggests taking a photo of both the front and back of your card in the event that you lose it. Be sure to store these photos in a secure digital app, like OneRecord, as vaccination cards display sensitive personal information that could be used by scammers to perform identity theft or create phony vaccination cards.

Although there are means of obtaining new physical cards if they get lost or damaged, you don’t want to be left scrambling the night before a flight or be denied entry to an event because you do not have proof of your legitimate immunization. The easiest thing for you is to keep a digital record at your fingertips. Plus it's more secure to carry than your paper record. Download OneRecord and you’ll be able to keep your COVID-19 immunization data securely on your phone ready anytime you may need them. Ultimately, the best policy when it comes to vaccination cards is to be proactive about your storage and handling of them.

Keep Your Vaccination Records On Your Phone Here

Already lost your vaccination card? Don’t panic. There are a number of steps you can take in order to restore proof of your vaccination.