OREANDA-NEWS. June 18, 2012. Aviva has launched a new health passport for its International Solutions private medical insurance customers, providing online access to their medical records when overseas. "My Health Passport" provides customers with peace of mind that if they needed urgent medical treatment abroad, their medical history would be quickly and safely accessible.

A survey* by the insurer shows that worryingly over a third of adults (35%) don’t know their GPs contact details and nearly two thirds (63%) don’t know their own blood group. Quick access to such information could be vital if urgent medical attention was needed abroad, as medical notes aren’t routinely transferred by UK hospitals or GPs.

The new health passport is a secure online system which the customer controls. It holds the customer’s health information in one place and they can provide access to healthcare professionals involved in their medical care if they wish. Wherever they are in the world, details of the customer’s prescribed medicines, illnesses, vaccinations, allergies and treatments, as well as their insurance documents, can be accessed and updated by their GP and medical providers abroad.

My Health Passport holders will be encouraged to carry a membership card with them so their records can be accessed in an emergency so they can receive faster clinical care if required.

With over two in five (41%) adults unsure what their regular medication is called or what dose they take, and 50% unsure whether they have allergies to prescription medicines, an up-to-date health passport enables medical providers abroad to proactively manage a patient’s care through a better knowledge of their medical history and medication.

The passport can also store personal information, including next of kin and personal reminders, via an emergency health record.

Teresa Rogers, business lead, international, Aviva, UK Health, says: “We’re delighted to offer a safe online health records system for our International Solutions customers.

“Living and working abroad poses some unique challenges and we want to make sure our international health insurance customers have access to the latest tools and support services to make their time abroad as worry-free as possible. 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.”

Aviva has partnered with Zaptag to deliver My Health Passport, which is available to both individual and corporate customers of Aviva’s International Solutions private medical insurance. It will be offered at the start of a policy and at renewal for no extra cost.