FAQs:

Why do you need a PHRS HI-Key?
Protect yourself in times of emergent or non-emergent situations.  To carry all your paper medical records is impractical. To be in control of all your medical records so they can be available at any time, while being safeguarded with a password.  It can carry all your medical information and is stored in a filing program that was developed by doctors and RN Case Manager for medical professionals.  You have the availability to help save your life, save you money, and provide ease of mind.

Why should the PHRS HI-Key be updated?
The PHRS HI-Key was developed for you to help you keep all your medical information at your fingertips.  It is important that any new medical information be added to provide a complete picture for the medical professionals providing care.  Let PHRS professional staff help you determine what new information is important to update your HI-Key.

Can you add information to the HI-Key?
Yes and No.  The customer or any other provider other than PHRS is unable to add or delete any information to the HI-key.  PHRS felt it very important to provide our customers with providing this security for their medical records.  If the customer wants information added to the HI-Key they need to contact PHRS and we can help with adding information to the HI-Key. Call 1-877-212-1711 for any additions.

What is a USB port?
Just about any computer that you buy today comes with one or more Universal Serial Bus connectors on the back. These USB connectors let you attach everything from mice to printers to your computer quickly and easily. The operating system supports USB as well, so the installation of the device drivers is quick and easy, too. Compared to other ways of connecting devices to your computer (including parallel ports, serial ports and special cards that you install inside the computer's case), USB devices are incredibly simple!

What if I plug the HI-Key into the USB port and nothing comes up?
Depending on the computer you plug the HI-Key into, make sure to allow sufficient time to process the program.  If it does not come up with in a few minutes, remove the HI-Key and re-plug into the USB port a few times.  If it still does not work, go to START, CLICK on MY COMPUTER, CLICK on HI-Key drive, CLICK on GOPHRS.EXE.  If it still does not work call or bring back to PHRS.  If the HI-Key shows no external or internal alterations, PHRS will replace the HI-Key.  If the HI-Key does show external or internal alterations the customer can purchase a duplicate HI-Key with their medical record information.

What if I do not have a computer?
You do not need to own a computer, the PHRS HI-Key was developed for you to have with you and be a way to professionally communicate with medical professionals.  If you go see your primary care physician to the ER, most medical providers if not all have a computer available.  Any computer with Microsoft will be able to use the HI-Key.  If you run into a medical provider that does not have a computer with Microsoft, you can always take it to the nearest copy center to assist with printing out your medical records.

Do you need to have Internet capabilities to use the HI-Key?  
No, once the HI-Key is inserted into the USB port the drive runs off the computer and not the internet.  Although if you do have internet capabilities when on the PHRS home page, you can click on any of the top buttons “Home”, “About US”, “Services” or “Contact US” and it will take you to our web address.

What happens if I lose the HI-Key?
When you purchased the HI-Key, you were supplied with a key tag or printed directly on the HI-Key is a PO Box Number.  If someone finds the HI-Key they can drop it in the nearest mailbox.  Let PHRS know that your HI-Key is missing, when PHRS receives the HI-Key in the mail, PHRS will verify who the HI-Key was sold to and contact them.  If the HI-Key is not returned, the customer can purchase a duplicate.  The Hi-Key has password security and also has a HI-Key that can erase the information stored upon 10 attempts at the password for added protection.

What is the cost?
PHRS offers different service plans that range from $100.00 to $600.00.  The Silver, Gold and Platinum service plan covers 1(one) year of service.  There is also an option to add individual medical records.

Why can’t I do this myself?
You can, but it is important to know that when you are dealing with medical professionals, they want to see the actual medical records from the medical professional you saw in the past.  They also do not have time to sift through pages and pages of medical information.  Do you know what information in your medical records is important to your care?  If you answered no, then Portable Health Record Services is there for you, we offer the service of getting your medical records, reviewing your records for medical need to be added to the drive and create the HI-Key.  In the HI-Key we have developed a filing system to store your medical record information for ease of use and provide a way for medical professionals to get the correct information quickly. This program was designed by a physician and RN Case Manager.

What does HIPPA mean?
The Standards for Privacy of Individually Identifiable Health Information (PRIVACY RULE) established a set of national standards for the protection of certain health information.  The U.S. Department of health and Human Services issued the PRIVACY RULE to implement the requirement of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA).  The PRIVACY RULE standards address the use and disclosure of individuals’ health information called “protected health information” (PHI) by organizations subject to the PRIVACY RULE.  HIPAA controls how your health information is used.  The goal of the PRIVACY RULE is to assure that individuals’ health information is properly protected while allowing the flow of health information needed to provide and promote high quality health care and to protect the public’s health and well being.  The RULE strikes a balance that permits important uses of information, while protecting the privacy of people who seek care and healing.

How is it HIPAA compliant?
The HI-Key is HIPAA compliant in that it is prepared with the customer’s knowledge and agreement, all information is password protected in a device in which the customer has control; the customer makes the decision who gets the health information.  The information cannot be changed, only viewed or printed by health care professionals.

How does PHRS keep medical records secure?
PHRS offers the customer options on how they want the medical records handled.  PHRS will destroy all hard copies, can provide the customer with all the hard copies, and can also keep the information placed on the HI-Key in a secure password, encrypted area with no outside access.  The information stored by PHRS is for the purpose of making duplicate or updating the customer’s medical record information.  PHRS does not offer your information to third party companies.

What if I forget my password?
PHRS provides the customer with a form that has all the important information needed to keep track of their password, e-mail registration and names of emergency contacts.  PHRS wants to make sure they provide the best security possible for the customer, while still being able to assist in emergent situations if at all possible.  Customer has the option to change their passwords as often as they want, if they do not contact PHRS, we are unable to help.  Since a lot of the changes are done over the phone and for PHRS to make sure we are providing the information to the correct person, the use of security questions and only e-mailing the information to the registered e-mails have been added to PHRS policy and procedure.  PHRS has also come up with a way for the password to be released in emergent situations, if the customer agrees and signs a release for this procedure to be followed. 

What if I am in an accident and unable to give my password?
PHRS will supply a Wallet Card that should be placed by your driver’s license.  In the event that you are in an accident and no one is available or you are unconscious or unable to speak, emergency personal will look for information in your purse or wallet.  The Wallet Card has your emergency contact with phone number.  It is imperative that your emergency contact(s) know your password information.  PHRS is not able to cover every emergent situation. 

How does PHRS get my medical information?
PHRS will have the customer sign a Medical Records Release Form that is good for one year.  It may be revoked at anytime by the customer, by writing to PHRS with this request.  The customer and PHRS staff review their past medical history, determine what information is needed for the HI-Key, the Medical Records Release Form is sent to the past medical provider, and PHRS follows up to make certain information is received.

How long does it take to get the HI-Key?
Each situation will vary depending on how quickly the medical providers respond to the request for the medical records.  PHRS will follow up with these providers and encourage the quickest possible return.  Some records may have been moved to another storage facility, this information can take longer to retrieve.  PHRS will provide the HI-Key within 30 days at the latest, if all medical records information was not able to be acquired from medical providers.

What information goes onto the PHRS HI-Key?
Any pertinent personal information the customer wants.  PHRS suggests the following information be stored on the HI-Key.  All Advance Directives, Living Will, Power of Attorney documents, Allergy information, medication list, organ donor information, death/burial information, emergency contact information, medical provider contact information, Religion information, baseline testing information and any other information customer feels is important.  PHRS provides the customer with the option of providing disease specific diagnosis information.  It helps provide a medical history that the medical professionals will not need to take the time to determine, it will be available to them at a glance for quicker treatment.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE OF HI-KEY:

If you have the Microsoft Vista program: