Are there no limits to the iPhone? Every time you turn around it seems there is a new application for this amazing device; just yesterday they released a program that would feed your pets for you while on vacation. In all seriousness, some of these programs are pretty incredible. There is a program called ColorHelper, assisting those with colorblindness identify colors. For example, if the device were pointed at a dresser drawer, ColorHelper will identify all socks that are red.
The number of applications being developed for the iPhone is baffling, and while some of these are ?just for fun,? a majority are designed to make life easier. You can find software to manage everything from your golf game to your holiday shopping list.
While you certainly don't want to forget Aunt Susie this Christmas, perhaps it is more important to remember to take your blood pressure medication. Or, Heaven forbid, you are traveling and fall ill, it would be advantageous to have your medical information handy. Your medical records are invaluable and it makes sense to have immediate access to this information. No surprise; there's an iPhone application for that too!
It would be convenient if there was a giant database that stored everyone's medical information, easily accessible with a touch of a button or a click of a mouse. Unfortunately, in the United States the concept of electronic medical records (EMR), or electronic health records (EHR) are implementing slowly. A majority of health care providers still manage paper offices. Companies like e-MDs, based in Austin, TX, are leading the charge in providing integrated EHR and practice management solutions; though it may take some time until a universal system becomes reality. Just think, your childhood immunization record may be stored in a filing cabinet where you attended elementary school. An extreme example, but it illustrates the potential difficulty in accessing your personal medical record.
While we wait for the health care industry to catch the digital wave, you now have the option of managing your own medical records. To start, simply request them from your current and previous doctors. You may need to fill out a form, perhaps pay a small fee. Once the documents are in hand, you will need to transfer the information to digital format, a small investment of your time for portable health. Google Health has been innovative in creating a system that will help you manage your electronic medical records online, but software developed for the iPhone allows for portability of this vital information.
xCube Labs has created the application Health n Me Pro for your iPhone, available for download from the iTunes store for $2.99. My Life Record PMR, from Life Record Inc., is available for download for $49.99 and allows you to manage up to twelve patient records (you can manage your entire family for example). Both applications were designed with privacy in mind and will assist you in first obtaining your records, then filing them electronically, and using advanced features for managing them. You are able to manage and organize emergency contact info, medical charts and x-rays, medications, lab results, appointments?the list goes on. With ease you can share information securely.
Applications for the iPhone continue to advance, but more importantly, become more useful. It seems as soon as the need arises, an iPhone application is developed to fill it. When it comes to organizing and managing your personal health record, software similar to the examples mentioned above allow the access of your personal health information to be in your control at the touch of a button.
The ?begged? answer is of course yes. It would be yes if you never let anyone have information about your health and medical condition(s). But, in the real world, this is impossible.
The real answer, unfortunately, is NO. And to add insult to injury, it is real in more ways than one as you are about to learn.
As I dug into the research material for this article, my eyes popped out and my jaw dropped open. The number of eyes that could potentially see your complete medical history (read complete record) is staggering.
The line starts at the government and runs the gamut to bill collectors. Yes, you read that right, bill collectors.
Here, with a brief explanation of each, is a list of ?eyes? that could see your medical records. I'd bet many of them already have.
1.The most obvious is your doctor, doctor's nurse and office staff. Most people's medical records are on kept at the doctor's office.
2. Hospital ? If you have ever been hospitalized, you have a set of records at the hospital.
3.Insurance Companies ? If you have ever applied for health, life or disability insurance, those companies have access to your records no matter where kept.
4.The Medical Information Bureau (MIB) ? Most people have never heard of this non-profit membership organization. However, it is the largest repository of health records in the free world. Located in Essex, MA, its membership is about 750 U.S. and Canadian Insurance Companies. MIB does not have the same copies as your doctor. Rather they codify you according to certain health conditions. You can get a free copy of your record by visiting their website: www.mib.com/html/request_your_record.html In the alternative you can call, 1-866-692-6901 or for the hearing impaired, 1-866-346-3642. By the way, MIB is subject to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). This is important to know.
5.Government agencies such as Social Security, Veteran's Administration, MediCal, Workers Compensation, Medicare, etc. 6.Medical Collection Agencies ? Pay attention because these agencies may have in-depth medical information in their data bases. If this one doesn't set your hair on fire, you don't have a pulse.
7.Your employer may have asked you to authorize them accessing your medical records. The potential employer has the right to ask for medical information as part of an employment background check. The employer faces certain restrictions but not many if you authorize the access.
8.Believe it or not, your medical records may be subpoenaed for a court case if you are involved in litigation. Those relevant parts of your record may be copied and introduced in court. Unless sealed, court documents are public records. This is one way unscrupulous people discover social security numbers.
9.Health research ? Sometimes your medical record is used for health research and when it is, it may be disclosed to health agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control. Most of the time your name is not part of the record but, nonetheless, it is YOUR record.
10.Licensure and accreditation of hospitals or physicians by certain boards or agencies. Again, your identity may or may not be part of the records evaluated. But, one more time, it is YOUR record.
11.Direct marketers may receive your health information if you participate in informal health screenings like cholesterol tests, blood pressure, and other type of ?free? medical screenings you may have seen conducted in your local mall.
12.Health related web sites, Usenet news groups and chat rooms may contain your medical information. Granted, you have to share it but once put on the Internet, it has a magical way of propagating throughout the universe.
13.Survey companies not only use the Internet but mail and the phone to conduct medical question surveys. Many of them are very detailed. If you share your information, it is out there for whomever to use.
14.Tenant screening services screen prospective tenants for property managers. Their checks are extremely extensive. Although health records are not on the list, there is no specific law prohibiting a property manager from asking for this information in addition to everything else.
Note: I have set up a special page dealing with health and credit resources at: http://www.senior2senior.org/healthandcreditresources.html As I locate to-the-point resources and websites, I will put them on this page.
You do have sort of a guardian angel to help you if you are having problems in regard to your health records. I say sort of because if you become involved in litigation over your medical records, this source cannot represent you in court.
Each state has an Insurance Commissioner. He's your ?big brother? in a good sense. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners has a website, www.naic.org/state_contacts/sid_websites.htm that talks about the privacy laws in your state. Visit their site.
Unfortunately, this arena is still like the Wild West in terms of legislation and privacy protection and the fact it is getting better is of little comfort to anyone whose privacy has been violated.
If you don't like the medical scenario as it exists, you just might wish to chat with your government representative, state and federal, and tell him/her to take a close look at reform in this area.
And, because you have read this article, you are better armed than 95% of the American population. You now can begin taking steps to protect your medical privacy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Both Michael.young & Sandalwood are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Michael.young has sinced written about articles on various topics from The Internet, Iphone Reviews. Helen Walker. is a leading developer of healthcare software solutions. e-MDs Solution Series? is the standard for affordable and integrated EHR and practice management so. Michael.young's top article generates over 720 views. to your Favourites.
Sandalwood has sinced written about articles on various topics from tax, Free Credit Report Score and Iphone Reviews. Tom Koziol is Executive Secretary for a non-profit focusing on senior citizens. Visit http://www.senior2senior.org and pick up fifteen free topical ebooks and a ton of free resources just for stopping by and browsing. Email him at: tom@senior2senior.org. Sandalwood's top article generates over 480 views. to your Favourites.