Following are frequently asked questions and answers about the ePACE health program. Should you have additional questions, feel free to contact us by phone for assistance at (410) 507-3462 or info@epacehealth.com
- What services are provided in the ePACE program?
- How does the ePACE Health program benefit me?
- What is involved in the choice of a Personal Health Record?
- Which doctors are involved with the ePACE health program?
- Will the PHR be difficult to create and maintain?
- How can the ePACE Health program help me specifically with my medical care?
- Do I need health insurance if I enroll in the ePACE health program?
- Will my health insurance reimburse me for the cost of the ePACE program enrollment fee?
- Will I need to re-enroll each year?
- I have Medicare insurance, how does that work with the ePACE health program?
- There are concerns about keeping healthcare data private and secure. What is the ePACE Health program privacy policy?
- What is the difference between privacy, security and confidentiality as it pertains to electronic healthcare records?
- What is HIPAA?
- Why does the ePace program use secure messaging and why is it beneficial?
- What is the fee structure for ePACE health program participation?
- What services are provided in the ePACE program?
Simply put, the ePACE Health program is centered around the creation of a Personal Health Record (PHR) and access to your physician 24/7. The ePACE program will help you choose the right PHR for you and your family. Our program will help you create and maintain this PHR so that better communication and coordination of your medical care can then occur. To complement this PHR tool, your physician will be available 24/7 through electronic means.
- How does the ePACE Health program benefit me?
Keeping your own personal health record (PHR) allows you to provide doctors with valuable information that can help improve the quality of care you receive. A PHR can help reduce or eliminate duplicate tests and allow you to receive faster, safer treatment and care in an emergency. In short, a PHR helps you play a more active role in yours and your loved ones' healthcare.
Your entire medical record will be available to you, your family if you wish, and all of your healthcare providers 24 hours a day 7 days per week. This Personal Health Record will be both private and secure and YOU will have complete control over who can access this information. In addition, your physician will be directly available to you 24/7 through telephone or electronic communication to answer questions and offer guidance regarding your health.
- What is involved in the choice of a Personal Health Record?
One of the principle distinguishing features of a PHR is the platform by which it is delivered. The types of platforms include: paper, personal computers, the internet, and portable devices. There is not one platform that is best suited for all patients thus the ePACE Health program will help you choose which PHR is best for you.
- Which doctors are involved with the ePACE health program?
Please refer to the "Our Provider" link on the home page of the web site in order to see what physicians are currently participating in this program. In the near future, we expect to add more physicians to participate in this program.
- Will the PHR be difficult to create and maintain?
It depends on the choice of the PHR electronic platform (PC based, Web based, Keychain or Hybrid). There are some that are more complicated than others. Some may require more advanced computer skills. The ePACE program will guide you through the creation process and help you with the ongoing methods to maintain your constantly changing health record.
- How can the ePACE Health program help me specifically with my medical care?
The ePACE Health program is designed to enhance the information available to the patient and their physicians or other healthcare providers. The Personal Health Record will systematically review your medical history to check for preventive services and the beneficial screening tests that need to be performed by your physician based on your age and gender. By having 24/7 coordinated access with all of your healthcare providers and by providing a continuous review of your healthcare condition, the ePACE Health program is improving the quality of your healthcare.
- Do I need health insurance if I enroll in the ePACE health program?
Unequivocally, the answer is YES, you still need health insurance. The ePACE Health program is not designed to replace insurance, only to enhance the level of sophistication in communication and access to all your healthcare providers.
- Will my health insurance reimburse me for the cost of the ePACE program enrollment fee?
It is unlikely that your traditional health insurance will reimburse you for these services. However, if your employer offers a health savings account, the ePACE Health Program would qualify for the use of these funds.
- Will I need to re-enroll each year?
The ePACE Health program is designed for patients to have an ongoing membership each year. Each year a comprehensive review of your Personal Health Record will occur. This yearly information building of the electronic Personal Health Record as well as access to this information 24/7, dramatically improves the quality of your healthcare. This ongoing yearly program assures that you will always have the right medical information in the right place at the right time.
- I have Medicare insurance, how does that work with the ePACE health program?
Medicare patients will be welcome into the ePACE Health program. There are no legal restrictions either on you or your physician's participation, as Medicare doesn't cover the costs of an electronic Personal Health Record. The same charges will apply to enroll in this program.
- There are concerns about keeping healthcare data private and secure. What is the ePACE Health program privacy policy?
Privacy is of paramount concern of the ePACE Health program. ePACE Health uses encrypted secure messaging to communicate via email and follows the federal government's HIPAA guidelines in order to provide you with the highest level of privacy, security and confidentiality.
- What is the difference between privacy, security and confidentiality as it pertains to electronic healthcare records?
As defined by the government; Health information privacy is an individual's right to control the acquisition, uses, or disclosures of his or her identifiable health data. Confidentiality, which is closely related, refers to the obligations of those who receive information to respect the privacy interests of those to whom the data relate. Security refers to physical, technological, or administrative safeguards or tools used to protect identifiable health data from unwarranted access or disclosure. The ePACE Health program maintains at the highest level the privacy, confidentiality and the security of your health care records.
- What is HIPAA?
HIPAA is a federal rule that establishes a baseline for health privacy in the United States. The HIPAA acronym stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. Under the authority of the Act, the Federal Department of Health and Human Services issued a health privacy rule and a security rule. These rules establish minimum privacy and security standards for covered entitites. A covered entity is a health care provider, health insurer, or administrative clearinghouse. The ePACE Health program abides by these HIPAA privacy and security rules.
- Why does the ePace program use secure messaging and why is it beneficial?
- What is the fee structure for ePACE health program participation?