Aviva has recently launched a new health passport to help employees abroad. The scheme is aimed at its International Solutions private medical insurance clients. It provides online access to individuals’ medical records when they are abroad. If a client needs medical treatment while overseas it is reassuring to know they can safely and quickly access their medical history.
The new product follows a survey conducted by Aviva. The results showed over a third of adults (35%) don’t know their doctor’s contact details. Nearly two thirds don’t know their blood type and two in five adults don’t know the name or dosage of their regular medicines. This indicates having quick access to your medical records could prove vital, especially as records are not routinely transferred by UK hospitals or GPs.
The health passport in an online system which the customer controls. It contains all the customer’s health information which can be shared with healthcare professionals involved in their medical care, if they wish.
The records can be updated with prescribed medicines, illnesses, vaccinations, allergies and treatments by medical providers or GPs abroad. My Health Passport subscribers can also carry a card with them to provide access to their records in an emergency.
With 41% of people unsure what their regular medicine is or even the dosage, and 50% unaware of any medical allergies they may have, quick access to a patient’s records could prove life-saving. The passport can also store next of kin information and personal reminders.
Teresa Rogers, business lead at Aviva says, “Recalling vital health information in the event of an illness or injury abroad can be tough, and My Health Passport offers invaluable peace of mind. The information it holds can save vital time in a patient receiving the right treatment and can save costs by preventing repeat medical tests.”