The Buyt Desk
Carrying a bundle of medical history files to the doctor’s appointment is cumbersome. A gap in the records causes inaccurate diagnoses. Can there be a solution to such healthcare issues? The answer is yes!
The Government of India has introduced a 14-digit Health ID for the consolidation of medical records digitally. You have the discretion to create a Health ID, and it is unique to only you. Moreover, it gives you control of your entire medical history. No one can avail of your health information without your permission.
In the first phase of roll-out, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, and Puducherry have introduced Health ID infrastructure. Health IDs were useful during the COVID-19 immunization.
What are the benefits of a Health ID?
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The government wishes to provide patient-oriented and high-quality healthcare through Health ID. It is an infrastructure for Digital Healthcare.
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Health ID will remove preventable medical errors due to inaccurate or missing medical records.
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It provides you with the right to information for every healthcare treatment.
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A single number will allow any healthcare facility to access patient records with his consent.
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It allows parents to create health records of a child from birth.
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Health ID secures patient information through encryption.
What are the salient features of a Health ID?
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You have the free will to decide whether to create a Health ID or not. Irrespective of it, you can avail of treatment in any hospital.
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A health data consent manager will seek your permission before providing access to your health information.
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You can link all the medical records to the Health ID. You can scan old paper records and upload them. New patient data stored in servers of hospitals/clinics will be integrated automatically with your Health ID. Eventually, paper records at hospitals will be digitized and added to Health IDs.
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For ease of use, the National Health Authority will allow you to create an alias instead of memorizing a long number. The alias will be similar to an email address with a password.
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With the creation of a Health ID, you will have access to a health locker that is cloud space for storing your medical records.
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Parents can create and manage Health IDs for children until the age of 18 years. Even a newborn can have a Health ID.
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Insurance companies can access your health details from the Health ID. You also have the option to provide partial access to a party.
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The option of voluntarily opting out of a Health ID is in development.
What is the process of Health ID registration?
The registration process is simple. You can use your Aadhaar card or mobile number to create the Health ID online on the National Health Authority website. It will require your basic demographic details.
After the countrywide roll-out, you will also be able to create a Health ID at healthcare facilities. Moreover, if you register for a healthcare program under National Health Digital Mission (NHDM), your Health ID will be created automatically.
Which health providers can access your Health ID?
Public and private healthcare providers can both use Health IDs. Hospitals, community healthcare centres, and other healthcare providers in the National Health Infrastructure Registry will create Health IDs. Later telemedicine and e-pharmacies will also be a part of this initiative.
In conclusion, exercise your discretion about Health ID based on:
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It allows an uninterrupted flow of health information through the healthcare system with your consent.
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It relieves the hassle of carrying and storing multiple health records.
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It gives easy access to efficient and transparent healthcare.
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The health ID registration process is easy.
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In the future, the government will develop a National Policy on the Security of Health Records to keep your data safe.
