My Health Record opt out deadline is fast approaching

With just over two weeks' until the deadline of Thursday November 15, North Coast Primary Health Network's My Health Record program manager Amanda Wilkinson says the opt out decision is not the end of choice.

She says every resident with a Medicare card or Department of Veteran’s card will receive a My Health Record by the end of 2018 unless they have opted out through the My Health Record website or the helpline by the deadline.

“Over 6 million Australians have registered for a My Health Record since its inception in 2012," Ms Wilkinson said.

"This number grew during the opt-out period as some people saw the benefits of joining and didn’t want to wait for the automatic creation of the records at the end of the year.

“Those who have opted out in the four-month period since July can still register for a record in the future at any time. 

"Conversely, any person who receives one and decides to cancel the record later has the flexibility to do so.

“Others who opt out now, but then learn of the security features which offer better protection than they expected can register anytime in the future,” she added.

My Health Record is an online library of your key health information, and can be accessed by your regular healthcare providers, community pharmacies and hospitals. 

Your record travels with you and includes information such as hospital discharge summaries, allergies, medicines information and pathology test results. 

Your record retains this key information, so you and your healthcare providers can access it when it is needed. 

During the opt out period, more than 8500 residents in North Coast Primary Health Network network have met with staff to learn about My Health Record and how it might benefit them, with some residents choosing to create a record for themselves already. 

A spokesperson for the Australian Digital Health Agency says the deputy secretary of health system policy in the department of health, Caroline Edwards, told a recent senate community affairs legislation committee on October 24, 2018 that more than 181,000 Australians have chosen to opt in since July 16 2018, in order to get the benefits of having a My Health Record right away.

“In the first week of the opt out period, more Australians opted in to have a My Health Record compared to any other week in the history of the program,” Ms Edwards said.

“A final reconciliation will be undertaken after the opt out period ends on November 15, 2018, at which point the final opt out numbers will be known.

“Australians can opt out online, over the phone 1800 723 471 or via paper forms available at Australia Post outlets.

“More than six million Australians already have a My Health Record and more than 14,226 healthcare professional organisations are connected, including general practices, hospitals, pharmacies, diagnostic imaging and pathology practices.

“It has been running for six years and is already making healthcare management for individuals and healthcare providers easier and safer. It could even save lives in an emergency situation.”

The opt-in rates by state/territory as well as other statistics are available on the My Health Record website."

For more information on My Health Record go to the website.

For information on North Coast Primary Health Network go to their website.

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