Understanding Electronic Medical Records

Richmond, Va. (PRWEB) March 10, 2014

Electronic health records (EHRs) are becoming more and more common among health care providers, Experient Health wrote in its Blog series, "Know Your Benefits."

In fact, "your provider may be moving from paper records to EHRs or may be using them already," wrote Experient Health.

The "Know Your Benefits" Blog series aims to help educate the community about benefits that may be offered to them through an employer or their insurance coverage. Experient Health launched the complete Blog, which also highlights ways to live well as the best preventative care, to keep people informed.

In the EHR post, Experient Health explained that EHRs are "electronic versions of the paper charts in your doctor’s or other health care provider’s office. An EHR may include your medical history, notes and other information about your health, including your symptoms, diagnoses, medications, lab results, vital signs, immunizations and reports from diagnostic tests such as X-rays."

Providers are working with other doctors, hospitals and health plans to find ways to share that information, which can only be shared for purposes allowed by law or authorized by the patient.

The benefits of having EHRs? Experient Health wrote that "when your health care provider uses EHRs, you will likely experience, among other benefits, "improved quality of care. EHRs allow your doctor to securely share your health information with other providers, which will make it easier for everyone to work together to make sure you are getting the care you need."

Because of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, patient records are just as private digitally as on paper.

The government also created the HIPAA Security Rule to require specific protections to safeguard electronic health information.

Security measures that can be built into EHR systems may include access control tools, such as passwords and PIN numbers, encryption of stored information, and audit trail features,

Federal law requires doctors, hospitals and other health care providers to notify patients of a security breach. The law also requires the provider to notify the Secretary of Health and Human Services. If a breach affects more than 500 residents of a state or jurisdiction, the health care provider must also notify prominent media outlets serving the state or jurisdiction. This requirement makes sure patients know if something has gone wrong with the protection of their information and helps keep providers accountable for EHR protection.

For more information about EHRs and other benefits, visit the Experient Health Blog here.

About Experient Health:

For years, Experient Health, a Virginia Farm Bureau company, has helped people find the right insurance coverage and get the most for their health care dollars.

The Richmond, Va.-based group is dedicated to providing high quality health insurance options to customers in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC. As a result, its consultants, with an average of more than 20 years experience, are intimately familiar with the states’ provider networks, products and regulations.

Representing the top national insurance carriers, Experient Health provides customers with multiple policy options designed to meet wellness needs and financial requirements.

Experient Health grew out of Virginia Farm Bureau and is a “hometown agency” in that it operates a network of more than 100 offices. However, it boasts the resources and technology of larger firms.

Consultants are available online, via phone and through their offices.

Learn more at http://www.experienthealth.com, utilize the online health insurance quote calculator or contact a consultant directly at 855.677.6580.

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