Discovery Health ID Question

[Kaminski222]

Good day everyone, I am not a member of discovery health however I have a question regarding the Health ID system (the system were all your medical information is centralized). Is this system exclusive to Discovery health users? Or do other medical aids in South Africa use any other similar systems?
Thanks in advance

 

[mjzar]

It's available only for doctors who practise in South Africa and treat members of Discovery-administered schemes.
So it applies to members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme DHMS as well as other schemes administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd. Also its not compulsory you have to opt-in, you have to explicitly grant permission
for a doctor to access your health record.

 

[Kaminski222]

It's available only for doctors who practise in South Africa and treat members of Discovery-administered schemes.
So it applies to members of Discovery Health Medical Scheme DHMS as well as other schemes administered by Discovery Health (Pty) Ltd. Also its not compulsory you have to opt-in, you have to explicitly grant permission
for a doctor to access your health record.

Ok so if you are not with discovery health, I would assume that your health record data wouldn't necessarily be centralized and your records would be separate with the various doctors that you have visited through the years?

 

[mister]

Ok so if you are not with discovery health, I would assume that your health record data wouldn't necessarily be centralized and your records would be separate with the various doctors that you have visited through the years?

correct.

 

[mjzar]

Ok so if you are not with discovery health, I would assume that your health record data wouldn't necessarily be centralized and your records would be separate with the various doctors that you have visited through the years?

Yes. The information contained within the electronic health record is not necessarily the same as the information held by doctors, your medical records or doctor’s notes still remain with your doctor.

 

[mjzar]

Yes. The information contained within the electronic health record is not necessarily the same as the information held by doctors, your medical records or doctor’s notes still remain with your doctor.

The health record includes doctor visits, hospital admissions, prescribed medication, blood/laboratory tests, other health measures, BMI, blood pressure etc. I think they can also see medical scheme plan details and benefits etc

 

[Kaminski222]

Yes. The information contained within the electronic health record is not necessarily the same as the information held by doctors, your medical records or doctor’s notes still remain with your doctor.

Ah, ok thanks. So all my records from the past with different doctors aren't on some central database, unless I'm with discovery health? I'm thinking of moving to discovery which is why I'm asking.

 

[mjzar]

Ah, ok thanks. So all my records from the past with different doctors aren't on some central database, unless I'm with discovery health? I'm thinking of moving to discovery which is why I'm asking.

Okay I see. Yes they won't be there. Discovery uses data from past claims to build your health record which doesn't include your medical records or 'doctor’s notes' anyway it includes what I mentioned above

 

[Kaminski222]

Okay I see. Yes they won't be there. Discovery uses data from past claims to build your health record which doesn't include your medical records or 'doctor’s notes' anyway it includes what I mentioned above

Thanks for the help! Appreciate it

 

[Nemesys]

Ah, ok thanks. So all my records from the past with different doctors aren't on some central database, unless I'm with discovery health? I'm thinking of moving to discovery which is why I'm asking.

As said above the health id records only contain information based on your claims and not even why you visited a health professional. Nobody but you can see that information unless you give specific permission to someone to do so. So that information is absolutely confidential.