More features to be added in coming months says CDO Peter O’Halloran.
The Australian Digital Health Agency says the 1800MEDICARE app, previously known as My Health, has been downloaded “more than one million” times.
While the agency didn’t specify the timeframe for the one million downloads, chief digital officer Peter O’Halloran said uptake of the app was only anticipated to grow as new features were added in coming months.
“The goal is to make the 1800MEDICARE app indispensable for Australians managing their health, especially as new legislative requirements drive more comprehensive and timely data sharing,” he said.
This article originally ran on TMR’s sister site, Health Services Daily. TMR readers can sign up for a discounted subscription.
CEO Amanda Cattermole said the app’s popularity was a direct response to consumers seeking immediate access to their health records.
“Australians want to be better informed and to have their key health information at their fingertips,” she said.
“Whether you’re accessing prescriptions, finding and booking a health service or viewing pathology results, the app is enabling Australians to take control of their health.”
And, with the implementation of the Share by Default legislation on 1 July, demand for the app is set to boom again, said agency officials.
The new mandate requires healthcare providers to upload pathology and diagnostic imaging reports to My Health Record, ensuring that Australians receive timely access to their pathology test results and diagnostic imaging reports. The change is set to streamline information sharing between consumers and providers, supporting faster and more effective clinical conversations.
The ADHA’s chief clinical adviser (medicine) Dr Amandeep Hansra said the increased consumer engagement with their key health data improved shared decision-making and led to better clinical outcomes.
“We see more patients arriving at appointments informed, able to check medications, results or discharge summaries through the app, which promotes continuity of care,” Dr Hansra said.
The app’s features will continue to expand over time to include notifications when new scan or test results were uploaded to My Health Record.
Related
Using the app, Australians can conveniently access a wide range of features to manage their health and wellbeing, including:
- see medical history in one place;
- access information about medical and pharmaceutical services provided by Medicare, as well as links to enrolment and claims;
- check test results including pathology;
- manage privacy and access settings;
- invite a trusted person to help manage their record;
- store emergency contacts;
- view records as a nominated or authorised representative;
- share vaccinations and immunisations;
- store allergies and reactions information;
- find and book a health service;
- access symptom checker and search for trusted health information.
Australians can download the 1800MEDICARE app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
