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

Vaccinations and Medical Records Shared Digitally With Ease

SMART Health Cards

More than ever, the ability to easily and quickly share certain aspects of your health information is essential. Whether you might want to prove your vaccination status to an airline, provide recent test results with your doctor, or verify that your child’s COVID-19 screening came back negative for a safe return to school, the applications—and implications—of seamless health record communication are numerous. But short of requesting access to various results from your healthcare providers and rummaging through stacks of paperwork to demonstrate your medical records, a method which ties in the accessibility and security of today’s electronic health solutions has been missing. That’s where SMART Health Cards have stepped in to enhance the experience.

SMART Health Cards are digital or printed QR codes that function as shortcuts to your vaccination history, test results, and other pieces of relevant health information. Simply by using a SMART Health Verification App, another organization or business asking about your health information can check the validity of your records in a single touchless exchange. In contrast to the conventional ways of tediously gathering medical results in a physical format, SMART Health Cards create the potential for a standardized method of sharing your personal medical records efficiently, simply, and free of charge.

The technology behind SMART Health Cards was created by the SMART Health IT project based out of the Boston Children’s Hospital Computational Health Informatics Program, with leading innovation provided by the Vaccination Credential Initiative (VCI).

SMART Health Cards are used by healthcare services, restaurants, schools, sporting events, public entertainment venues, and more.

With the ripple effects of COVID-19 still being felt across the globe, many healthcare institutions such as clinics, nursing homes, and hospitals are now requiring their employees to be fully vaccinated to work. Companies with large employee populations now need a fast way to determine the vaccination status of their crewmembers. Likewise, colleges and universities have also started requiring testing and/or proper vaccination before students can attend classes. All of these institutions are the most likely to implement SMART Health Card technology into their processes in the near future…if they aren’t already doing so!

As the adoption of SMART Health Cards continues to expand across the U.S., more and more organizations outside of healthcare and workplaces are expected to take up the new technology and expedite their screening capabilities.

If you’re hesitant to ask your healthcare provider for a SMART Health Card after your latest visit, rest assured that the traditional means for sharing vaccination status and test results with employers, healthcare professionals, and various businesses aren’t going anywhere. However, as more services begin to require health verification from their users, the need to provide medical history at a moment’s notice is only going to increase. To that end, taking full advantage of emerging technology that promotes the interoperability of medical information should be in everyone’s best interest.

SMART Health Cards are safe and secure, with only the patient’s name, date of birth, and relevant clinical information visible on the card itself. Any additional data is only transferred to the person you wish to share it with. The cards can also be stored in digital format via download links, making it easily available on smartphones and tablets.

OneRecord is the best way for users to gather their medical records into one place for better individual healthcare management Even better, the OneRecord app is fully compatible with SMART Health Cards, allowing you to pull up your most pertinent health history in just a few finger taps for others to see. Check us out on Google Play and the App Store to start collecting your health information into one place, simply.

The SMART Health Card is the newest innovation in the digital health data equation. With the ability to pull up your vaccination status or pertinent medical records on the go in either a digital or paper format, the technology is already introducing brand new screening capabilities for stadiums, airports, restaurants, and other venues. In time, this new feature will make its way across the nation and be utilized by many public organizations to streamline health verification.

But in the midst of the excitement, it’s important to remember that SMART Health Cards are not yet fully implemented in many states. So how do you get one? Can you get one where you live? Keep reading to learn the best way to obtain your own SMART Health Card.

There are currently three ways to get your SMART Health Card: from state-run vaccination sites, from your private clinic or pharmacy, or from your healthcare provider.

If you got vaccinated at a state-run vaccination site, you can receive a SMART Health Card from your state registry. The card will contain records of your vaccination statuses for easy access whenever you need it. As of the time of this article, only California, Hawaii, Louisiana, New York, and Virginia are issuing SMART Health Cards through these means. If you were vaccinated in a different state, don’t worry, there are more options.

Retail pharmacies are also distributing SMART Health Cards, so if you received a vaccination from one, you can log into the pharmacy’s portal and request one at your convenience. Participating retailers currently include Walmart, Sam’s Club, CVS, Rite Aid, and Express Scripts. If they have your health records on file, chances are you can receive a card from them.

Lastly, your healthcare provider may be able to connect you with your own SMART Health Card. If they are connected to CommonHealth, use MyChart, or are integrated with the Cerner HealtheLife app, you can formally request a card by phone, through their portal, or after your healthcare visit. They can then either give you a paper copy of your card and its QR code, or distribute it to you digitally via email.

As the SMART Health Card gains traction throughout America, more states, health systems, and pharmacies will jump aboard and begin issuing cards as well. A bright future of health information that is both accessible and sharable awaits!

Download OneRecord to Get the Most Out of Your SMART Health Card

Did you know our OneRecord app can now be used to store your SMART Health Card for even easier access? Simply connect to your patient portal via OneRecord or ask an authorized party to send you a smart-health-card file when you request a card. Once that’s done, upload the file to the OneRecord app to keep it stored with all your other medical records. When the need arises, you can quickly open the OneRecord app to retrieve your SMART Health Card in all its digital glory.

If you haven’t downloaded the OneRecord app to gather all your health information into a single, secure place, find us on the Apple App Store or Google Play and get full control over your medical data today!

What is the SMART Health Card Verifier App?

Do you work for an organization hosting a big event? Expecting a large turnout to your community celebration? Need a quick way to verify vaccination status in order to keep people safe?

SMART Health Cards provide the ability to efficiently check guests’ pertinent medical records in a secure, private manner, making them a viable solution for large-scale planning: parties, sports games, conferences, ceremonies, and cookouts are just a few examples of events that benefit from its technology.

For organizers, employers, and other forms of management, the SMART Health Card Verifier App—created by The Commons Project with help from Affinidi—operates as the other end of the spectrum, giving hosts a means of scanning people’s health cards in a timely manner while respecting health information privacy. Read on to learn where to get the SMART Health Card Verifier App and how to use it.

Where Can I Get the SMART Health Card Verifier App?

Currently, the SMART Health Card Verifier App is available for download via Google Play or the Apple App Store. The service is free of charge, requiring no login credentials to be created prior to usage. Just download the app onto your smart device of choice and you’re ready to go.

How Do I Use the SMART Health Card Verifier App?

Getting use out of the app is as simple and effective as the technology it pioneers. When someone presents you with the QR code associated with their own personal SMART Health Card (whether that be via paper format, digital format, or saved on the OneRecord App), boot up the verifier app and use the app’s camera function to scan the code. This makes the SMART Health Card Verifier App a great screening companion for employees standing at the entrance of a venue.

After scanning a SMART Health Card QR code, that person’s results will appear on your smart device. Information regarding name, date of birth, vaccination type, vaccination date, and vaccination doses will be shown, along with one of three different readings:

SMART Health Card Verified—the guest’s SMART Health Card was deemed valid and originates from a verified distributor, such as a pharmacy, state-sponsored vaccination site, or healthcare provider.

SMART Health Card Partially Verified—the SMART Health Card was found to be valid but stemmed from an unrecognized issuer who is not within the CommonTrust network (the network which powers the registry of valid issuers).

SMART Health Card Unverified—the SMART Health Card was unable to be verified, meaning it may have been corrupted or tampered with after distribution. Use caution when this reading appears.

Don’t Forget About OneRecord Integrations

At OneRecord, we continually invest in the future of accessible medical records and promote technology that gives users better control over their own health data. By adding SMART Health Card functionality to OneRecord, users are now able to store their SMART Health Card information and QR codes on their smart devices for quick, easy access. Simply connect your existing patient portals or upload your card file to the app and watch it get stored alongside all of your other medical records in one clean, convenient place.

Check out the OneRecord app on Google Play and the Apple App Store to start taking control of your health information today.

The Role of SMART Health Cards in the Future of Medical Data

Healthcare information technology, or HealthIT, has made strides in the last year.  Spurred by HITECH and the Cures Act, healthcare technology is progressively transforming into an accessible, interoperable playing field. Those who stay agile and innovative in the space will have the easiest time upgrading their systems to meet growing patient expectations. But what are the expectations people are developing these days? What is the most desirable outcome for their health data as we transition to 2022?

Mirroring the advancements seen in other IT realms, patients are looking for personalized, seamless, hassle-free experiences when handling their own health records. They want intuitive and powerful solutions available at their fingertips. Telehealth and the ability to be seen and tested by a healthcare provider at home, for instance, solves one side of the accessible healthcare equation. The other side—sharing the results of those findings wherever and whenever needed—is already being cultivated by SMART Health Card technology, and represents the future of medical record distribution.

SMART Health Cards—QR codes available in digital or physical formats that quickly refer others to specific personal health information—align neatly with the contemporary aim to bring health decisions back into the hands of patients. 

Rather than slogging through the manual process of requesting access to certain test results or vaccination statuses and signing a provider form to allow that data to fall into your possession, SMART Health Cards can be given to you following a visit at your local practice or pharmacy. 

Download links can also be used for the safekeeping of the SMART QR code on your smart device. Keeping a SMART Health Card at hand enables you to share distinct medical records with anyone looking for verification, bypassing the cumbersome need to gather that information yourself.

The ability to determine how your own health data is used is fully realized when the method of doing so is accessible, user-friendly, and straightforward. This is the current direction of the patient-centric healthcare movement as a whole, and SMART Health Cards push that vision forward.

Tapping into Technology to Solve Old Problems

It’s no secret that the healthcare industry is still bogged down by legacy systems and old-fashioned means of storing and sorting medical records. Now that we live in an age where phone apps can deliver food to your door in a matter of minutes and customizable car insurance can be purchased day-of, people are looking to technology to transform how healthcare and how paper health records are handled. SMART Health Cards are a step in that direction, giving patients more options when it comes to the ownership and distribution of their own health data. When accessibility barriers are torn down, medical records become an asset to allow the patient to make better-informed decisions about their own health, from selecting providers to getting the proper insurance coverage.

As healthcare gradually becomes a more personalized experience through enabling technology, practices and health companies will move away from paper-based means of record-keeping in favor of modern, digital solutions and applications. This is great news for patients because more of the same decision-governing technology, which was formerly exclusive to physicians and pharmacists, will find its way into the pockets of the users who are the heart of healthcare. The ability to share medical records with appropriate parties whenever the need arises, per the discretion of the patients, well… SMART Health Cards provide just that!

OneRecord Integrates SMART Health Card Compatibility

At OneRecord, we have always believed in giving patients more control over their own health data. Naturally, configuring our OneRecord app to utilize SMART Health Card functionality was a logical decision and we’re pleased to be one of the first to support the technology.

In many instances, you’ll already have SMART Health Card information embedded within your medical records. If so, once you connect your patient portals to your OneRecord, you’ll have your SMART Health Cards ready to add to your smart device wallet or ready-to-use in the OneRecord App. 

Alternatively, after receiving your SMART Health Card from an authorized party (such as your doctor, hospital, or pharmacy), be sure to request a .smart-health-card file to download or get sent to you. Once you have your .smart-health-card file, you may upload it to the OneRecord app to safely secure it, allowing you to quickly pull up your SMART Health Card record and vaccination verification from the convenience of your pocket. 

Learn more about storing all your health information in a single place with OneRecord here.

SMART Health Cards—A New Way to Share Medical Records

SMART Health Cards provide a quick and easy way to share vaccination status or other medical data securely without needing to carry around additional paperwork.

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?