Prepare. Progress. Protect.

1. Prepare. Progress. Protect. How to create and maintain your own personal health record.

2. What is a personal health record (PHR)? Keep your own PHR Get started, what to include and select a PHR tool Audience segments on myPHR.com Who owns your health information? How to access it? Who has access to it and where does it go? Privacy and security Caregivers and the PHR Next steps Contents

3. What is a Personal Health Record (PHR)? The PHR is a collection of important information about your health or the health of someone you’re caring for that you actively maintain and update. • Basis for planning your care and treatment • Means by which you can discuss your care with healthcare professionals • Documentation describing care you received from healthcare professionals

4. keep your own PHR With a PHR, you become an active partner in your healthcare: • Provide accurate information to new caregivers • Record your progress toward specific health- related goals • Refer to physician instructions, prescriptions, allergies, and insurance claims

5. Did you know? You Make the Difference. Improve Your Health. Research shows that when consumers actively participate in their own care, the outcomes are better.

6. keep your own PHR • Track appointments, vaccinations, and other services • Improve the quality of care you receive • Provide timely information when receiving emergency care and ensure access to vital health information • Reduce costs by eliminating duplicate tests

7. Did you know? A health record and a personal health record (PHR) are not the same. • A health record is information about your health compiled and maintained by each of your healthcare providers • A PHR is information about your health from a variety of sources including health care providers and maintained by YOU

8. Get started Contact your doctors’ offices and health information management (HIM) or medical records staff Ask your physician or HIM professional to help you Ask for an “authorization for the release of information” form Contact your health insurance plan’s customer service department

9. Get started Tools and resources, including free PHR forms Step-by-step guide to creating a PHR and information your PHR should include Valuable information about your privacy rights myPHR.com makes it easy to start your Personal Health Record.

10. Did you know? myPHR.com Web site currently averages 25,000page views per week. Help share the PHR education with friends and family!

11. Get started Glossary of health information terms Audience-specific blogs written by health information management professionals Blog commenting features for visitor interaction News specific to PHRs and health information Success stories from other PHR users Events calendar for nationwide health-related activities

13. Audience Segments On myPHR.com • Parents • Seniors • Students • Chronically ill • Travelers • Athletes • Caregivers • Individual

14. What should your PHR include? Personal identification, including name and birth date Emergency contacts Names, addresses, and phone numbers of your physicians, dentists, and specialists Health insurance information Your PHR should provide a comprehensive view of anything that impacts your health.

15. What should your PHR include? Living wills, advance directives, or medical power of attorney Dates of significant illnesses and surgical procedures Current medications and dosages Immunizations and dates received Allergies or sensitivities to drugs or materials

16. What should your PHR include? Important events and hereditary conditions in your family history Opinions of specialists Important test results Eye and dental records Correspondence between you and your provider Permission forms

17. It’s critical to create and have access to a single source of your personal health information, whatever format you choose If you don’t have access to a computer to keep a PHR, a simple file folder with copies of your health records can be a valuable tool fordocumenting your health and communicating with healthcare providers Did you know?

18. Select a PHR supplier Healthcare providers Insurers Employers Commercial suppliers Individuals can create their own PHR, or may be offered one by a variety of sources including:

19. Select a PHR supplier Privacy and security, HIPAA regulations Access Each PHR supplier has different policies and practices regarding how they may use data they store for the individual.

20. Select a PHR supplier Computer disk USB drive Online / Web services Paper file folder There are various ways to maintain a PHR:

21. Did you know? • YOU OWN YOUR HEALTH INFORMATION • While your healthcare providers create and maintain a record of your health, the content – your information – belongs to YOU. • It’s important to understand where this information goes, who has access to it, and what your rights are.

22. How do you access your health records? Ask for an ‘authorization for the release of information’ form – see sample form at myPHR.com Complete the form and return it to the facility as directed Most facilities charge for copies You have the right to request changes to your health record To access your health records:

23. How do you access your health records? Physician’s partners Health information manager at a nearby hospital where the physician practiced Local medical society, state medical association, state department of health If your physician has moved, retired, or died, you may be able to locate your records by contacting:

24. How is your health information collected and where does it go? Doctors’ offices Hospitals Health clinics Your health information is collected and documented in the healthcare facilities where you receive care:

25. How is your health information collected and where does it go? Obtain or verify your personal and financial information Forward any forms you will need to fill out Provide you with a copy of the healthcare facility’s notice of privacy practices Generate a list of the valuables you have with you if you are admitted Registration and Admitting

26. How is your health information collected and where does it go? In this area, there are many types of information collected about you and placed in your health record These documents include progress reports, responses to treatments and medications, test results, and diagnoses Patient Care and Treatment Area

27. How is your health information collected and where does it go? HIM professionals incorporate the principles and practices of acquiring, analyzing, and protecting digital and traditional medical information to ensure complete and accurate information for quality patient care They may be able to help you collect your health information Health Information Management (HIM) and Medical Records Department

28. How is Your health information collected and where does it go? A claim is filed with your health insurance provider The coded data is evaluated to identify appropriate payment for the services you received Patient Accounts and Billing Department

29. Who else has access to your health information? Public health and state or federal agencies Law enforcement are allowed limited access Your employer Life insurance companies can access information only with your authorization Marketing organizations are allowed limited access Health research organizations are allowed limited access

30. Privacy and Security Right to access, inspect, and copy health information Right to request correction or amend health information Right to request accounting of disclosures of health information PHRs as covered entities – see myPHR.com for more information Your rights under HIPAA:

31. ALL STATEMENTS ARE FALSE Health information cannot be faxed E-mail cannot be used to transmit health information Healthcare providers cannot leave messages for patients on answering machines or with someone who answers the telephone Common Privacy Myths

32. ALL STATEMENTS ARE FALSE Your name and location while in the hospital may not be given out without your consent Your healthcare provider must have your approval to disclose your personal health information to another healthcare provider Your doctor cannot discuss your care with your family members Common Privacy Myths

33. Caregivers and the PHR If you are a caregiver for someone, don’t assume you automatically have rights to that person’s information even if you are an immediate family member Even dependent children under the age of 18 have special rights in certain circumstances The person you are caring for should submit written authorization to his or her doctors and healthcare professionals – see myPHR.com for more information Visit myPHR.com for information

34. Caregivers and the PHR The authorization form should be submitted to the healthcare facility’s HIM Department for release of information – sample form available on myPHR.com Power of attorney, advance directives, living wills Find more information at myPHR.com

35. Maintaining your own personal health record is one of the best ways to have constant access to your health information throughout the course of your lifetime. Did you know?

36. Adult Health Form on myPHR.com

37. Children’s Health Form on myPHR.com

38. Healthcare can be stressful, but when you create and use a PHR, you can be confident that important health information specific to you is always available to the people who need it most. At myPHR.com, you’ll find an inviting Web site where you can explore your options and learn more about the power of a Personal Health Record. Start the PHR process today! Next Steps