51–60 of 62 posts
We must have a different definition of "any," since this will not get them from my primary care physician. His records are not computerized. (If I don't pay my copay at the time of my visit, my bill is typed on a typewriter.) He started practicing medicine in the late 1960s, joining his father's practice. I'm sure that some older doctors, in smaller towns (I'm in a D.C. suburb), are the same way.
"Get your health records from any doctor" We must have a different definition of "any," since this will not get them from my primary care physician. His records are not computerized. (If I don't pay my copay at the time of my visit, my bill is typed on a typewriter.) He started practicing medicine in the late 1960s, joining his father's practice. I'm sure that some older doctors, in smaller towns (I'm in a D.C. subur…
Some quick facts:
* More than 50% of clinics and hospitals in the U.S. have an EHR (electronic health record system) of some kind: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130522a.html. That means they can give you an electronic copy of your record.
* Meaningful Use says providers have to offer records electronically.
* Meaningful Use Stage 2 (goes into effect in 2014) says doctors also have to offer the record in whatever format you as a patient choose.
* The whole main point of HIPAA, the reason why it came to be, is that it gives every U.S. citizen a right to their health record, and to the ability to take it with them wherever they go.
The bottom line is: if your doctor isn't giving you an electronic copy of your record — and in 2014, in the format of your choice — they're breaking the law. It's your right to have your health record, and not just in paper form.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
There is a lot of negative commentary on this thread (thanks HN for always providing such valuable feedback), but I'd like to point out what I think is useful and positive with Prime. First, health is inherently social. When you're sick, do you tell your loved one (boy/girlfriend, spouse, parent, close friends, etc?). Of course you do. You want them to know that you might need their care for a few days, that you migh…
>>First, health is inherently social. When you're sick, do you tell your loved one (boy/girlfriend, spouse, parent, close friends, etc?) What is happening is that you are using the term "social" in a literal way, whereas in this context (the tech industry) it means something very specific.
"Get your health records from any doctor" We must have a different definition of "any," since this will not get them from my primary care physician. His records are not computerized. (If I don't pay my copay at the time of my visit, my bill is typed on a typewriter.) He started practicing medicine in the late 1960s, joining his father's practice. I'm sure that some older doctors, in smaller towns (I'm in a D.C. subur…
Your point that smaller practices are more likely to not have an EHR is generally correct, but it's changing very quickly. Some quick facts: * More than 50% of clinics and hospitals in the U.S. have an EHR (electronic health record system) of some kind: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130522a.html . That means they can give you an electronic copy of your record. * Meaningful Use says providers have to off…
> "Get your health records from any doctor" Awesome! Sign me up! > Health is inherently social > Provide context for your friends and family by sharing real health information seamlessly. Focus on communicating about your health rather than communicating the technical details. Yeah. No. Goodbye. I would love to have all my records all in one place. But why in the world would I want to share my high blood pressure/hig…
The target market of the app is people who have close friends and family members that they want to keep in the know about their health. This might not be you, which is totally okay.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Your point that smaller practices are more likely to not have an EHR is generally correct, but it's changing very quickly. Some quick facts: * More than 50% of clinics and hospitals in the U.S. have an EHR (electronic health record system) of some kind: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2013pres/05/20130522a.html . That means they can give you an electronic copy of your record. * Meaningful Use says providers have to off…
"The bottom line is: if your doctor isn't giving you an electronic copy of your record — and in 2014, in the format of your choice — they're breaking the law." This is demonstrably false. Meaningful use is not at this time a mandate. It is an incentive program. The incentive will likely turn from a carrot to a stick in the future, but as of 2014 there is no mandate on US physicians to comply with meaningful use stage…
So the overall point of what I wrote is still true — you have a legal right to your health record in the electronic format of your choosing:
> (ii) Notwithstanding paragraph (c)(2)(i) of this section, if the protected health information that is the subject of a request for access is maintained in one or more designated record sets electronically and if the individual requests an electronic copy of such information, the covered entity must provide the individual with access to the protected health information in the electronic form and format requested by the individual, if it is readily producible in such form and format; or, if not, in a readable electronic form and format as agreed to by the covered entity and the individual.
That's from HIPAA § 164.524 Access of individuals to protected health information. (c)(2)(ii). Direct link: http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?c=ecfr&tpl=/ecfrbrowse/...
And that was also the point of OP's comment. OP was saying small practices might not always be able to provide a health record to their patients. Your health record is your legal right and so is an electronic copy (provided the data is stored electronically) as of the latest revision to HIPAA which has been in effect since September 2013.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
"We don't have any plans to sell info in any regard and are under the impression that would require a direct opt-in from consumers if that offers any solace." This is interesting. Are you then not considering exposing APIs to anonymous data or such like?
Like you say, anonymizing data is nigh impossible, so I'd rather just avoid it entirely. Maybe local processing? We are thinking a user driven OAuth style service would be valuable.
Why would providers partner with you? I work in healthcare and I'm having a hard time imagining how you sell this to them.
What efforts are you doing in the medical community to get them using your service?