Did you know you can access HbA1c results online through My Health Record? HbA1c results can be uploaded by pathology providers to your record allowing you to access and keep track of your results over time. 

In this article we explain what My Health Record is, how to access your record, the results you can access (including pathology reports), and some new features related to accessing your HbA1c results. 

What is My Health Record? 

My Health Record is a safe and secure place to keep your key health information, available to you and your healthcare providers anytime, including in an emergency. It covers your immunisation information, pathology results, scans, current medicines and prescriptions, referral letters, and more. 

Every Australian now has a My Health Record unless you opted out before the end of January 2019 or cancelled your record. It is available wherever you go, so you don’t need to remember previous appointment dates, medicine names or dosages, or carry health documents such as prescriptions. If your health situation changes, healthcare providers can add this information to your My Health Record. You can also add an advance care planning document to your My Health Record if you should wish to do so. 

How do I access My Health Record? 

If you have already set up a My Health Record, you can view information in your record using the my health app or via your web browser on a computer or mobile device. 

You need to have a myGov account. If you don’t have one, you can create one. 

When you sign in to your myGov account, you will see ‘Link a Service’ list. Select ‘My Health Record’ and click the link button, then follow the steps provided. 

Once you’ve linked your record, you can view your record using the my health app or through a web browser on a computer or mobile device. 

What can be uploaded to your My Health Record? 

• Clinical documents uploaded by your healthcare providers such as discharge summaries, pathology and diagnostic imaging reports, e-Referrals, and immunisations. 
• Select Medicare information held by Services Australia such as benefits schedule and scheme claims, Department of Veterans Affairs claims, organ donor status, immunisation records. 
• Personal details and additional health information such as emergency contact details, personal health notes, advanced care plan, childhood development.
• Covid-19 information such as vaccinations, booster, test results uploaded and related health information. 

Privacy and security 

You have control over your My Health Record, including choosing who can see your record and what’s in it, and seeing what has been accessed and by who. 

• You can control what document and information is in your record. 
• You can control what your healthcare providers and representatives can see and do. 
• You can control what documents can be added to your record. 
• You can choose to receive SMS or email notifications when your record is accessed or when changes are made. 
• You can record notes about your health. 

In the event you require a nominated representative, the representative is able to view, manage and control your My Health Record. 

My Health Record uses strong security controls to protect your information and to make sure your information is stored safely. 

What is the my health app? 

The my health app lets you view key health information that you, your healthcare providers or representatives have uploaded to My Health Record. 

The my health app allows you to access, download, store and share your health information from your My Health Record. It’s fast, easy, and secure – and you can access and share it all from the palm of your hand. 

Download the my health app from your app store by searching for “my health gov” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. 

Accessing pathology reports, including HbA1c results through My Health Record 

Pathology reports are one of the important types of documents that your healthcare providers can upload to your My Health Record. 

Pathology reports may include results from blood tests, urine tests and biopsies and can be added to your record. Healthcare professionals involved in your care will be able to access these reports when needed. Some of the benefits include: 

• keeping track of the tests you have had and when you had them 
• monitoring your results over time 
• improving access to your health information by your healthcare team 
• reducing unnecessary tests and scans 
• helping your healthcare team save time and focus on your care. 

Importantly for people living with diabetes, HbA1c results can be uploaded by your pathology provider to your record allowing you to keep track of the checks you have had and when you had them, and monitor your results over time. 

Up until recently, your HbA1c results were available to access 7 days after upload, allowing time for your healthcare provider to review and discuss the results with you. This has now changed, if your pathology provider uploads your HbA1c results to My Health Record they may be available as soon as they are uploaded. 

Helpful resources 

The Australian Digital Health Agency – Online Learning Portal includes courses and allows you to register for live webinars or listen to a recording to learn more about My Health Record, my health app and electronic prescriptions. 

Where can I find out more? 

For more information about HbA1c and having an HbA1c check, please contact the Diabetes Australia contact centre on 1800 177 055, 8:30am – 4:30pm (AEST/AEDT), Monday – Friday or email [email protected]. 

For more information about My Health Record, including how to access, visit the  digitalhealth.gov.au website. Or contact the My Health Record helpline on 1300 901 001, 8am – 5pm (AEST/AEDT), Monday – Friday, or email  [email protected].