What Is CMS Interoperability and the Patient Access Final Rule?
Medicare has released a new, free and secure data service designed to give you easy electronic access to your health information, such as claims and authorizations.
Having access to your information can help you make more informed decisions about your health care and track progress toward your goals.What Does CMS Interoperability Mean for Me?
What Does CMS Interoperability Mean for Me?
It means that you will have the ability to view and access your personal health information on a computer or smartphone device.
Depending on the mobile app you choose, you may be able to view and access some or all of the following types of data:
- Institutional Claims
- Inpatient (hospital) claims
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) claims
- Professional Claims
- Outpatient provider (PCP, specialists, etc.) claims
- Durable Medical Equipment (DME) claims
- Pharmacy Claims
- Authorizations
- Clinical Data
- Care Plan/Goals
- Care Team
- Problems/Conditions
- Allergies
- Immunizations
- Cognitive Status
- Vital Signs
- Smoking Status
- Medications
- Observations (Laboratory Results)
- Encounters (Auths)
- Procedures/Services (including service locations)
- Directories and Formularies
- Provider Network Directory
- Pharmacy Directory
- Preferred Drug Lists
- Formulary
How Do I Access My Information?
- You will need to download one of the authorized mobile apps and set up an account. Once you have created an account, you can also give access to family members or caregivers.
Which Apps Should I Use?
Members are able to choose any app to manage their health. For your convenience, we’ve included a list of some of the available apps.
What are the Benefits of Accessing My Information?
By downloading your personal health information, you will be able to:
- Get control over your health information
- Keep your medical records and list of medications in one place
- Receive and track test results
- Track your medical claims
- Get information about your symptoms and medical conditions
How Do I Protect My Information?
Since you control access to your health information, it’s your responsibility to take the steps necessary to keep it safe. Treat your personal and health information the same way you’d treat your banking or other confidential information. Here are some important things to remember:
- Keep your log in information private and secure.
- Keep paper copies in a safe and secure place that you can control.
- You decide whether you want to share your personal information with others.
- You choose the apps or other services you want to use.
How Can Elderplan Help?
Elderplan is here to help you navigate through this process. Simply call Member Services and we will help you with:
- Understanding interoperability
- Answering questions about how we are keeping your information secure
- Choosing an app, registering, and setting up your user ID and password
- Interpreting the health information you might find on the app
