Frequently Asked Questions

Get your questions answered. With Minerva, it’s all about putting the power of your health in your hands. And power starts with information.

General Questions

1. What is Minerva Health Manager? Minerva Health Manager is a comprehensive personal health record software solution, or a “Health Record Manager,” that allows you to manage and store your medical and health history in one easy place - on your computer. With Minerva Health Manager you can record all of your health information including diagnoses, x-rays, office visits, vaccinations, prescription drugs, and more for yourself and family members. Plus, the Minerva Flash Drive (one comes bundled with your software download) allows you to carry your medical information with you wherever you go, so you can have your health history available for doctor visits or emergencies. Learn more about Minerva Health Manager.

2. What is a Personal Health Record (PHR)? A PHR is a health record that is created and maintained by an individual. The typical PHR consolidates information from many sources into one complete and accurate summary of the health and medical history of an individual. If the PHR is created electronically (as is the case with Minerva Health Manager), this information can be made accessible to anyone who has the necessary electronic hardware and authorization to view it, or it can be printed and shared on paper.

3. What is an Electronic Medical Record (EMR)? An EMR includes many topics that a Personal Health Record (PHR) does not, and is generally tailored for professional or institutional use: it is often specialty-specific; uses medical language; and contains more medical practice-management topics such as script writing, billing and inventory.

4. What is an Electronic Health Record (EHR)? An EHR is the same as an Electronic Medical Record (EMR), but is usually compatible with some standard format permitting healthcare providers to share data. An EHR may even comprise EMRs from many locations and/or sources. EHR and EMR are sometimes used synonymously.

5. How is Minerva Health Manager different from a EMR, EHR and PHR?

1. EMRs and EHRs are medical records created, used and controlled by healthcare providers whereas PHRs are records created, used and controlled by individuals.
2. Minerva Health Manager is a PHR and a complete Health Record Manager but also includes:
   • The ability to maintain medical and health records for yourself, your parents and children (biological, adopted, step, etc), your spouse/partner AND for your spouse/partner's parents and children - all within one program.
   • Thirty-five (35) different Health Topics organized into 10 Health Sections to conveniently organize all of your family health information.
   • The capability of having all entered information automatically synchronized with all family members in the system so everyone's information is always up to date with the current family information, saving time and reducing the risk for input errors.
   • Standardized lists for drugs, diagnoses, tests, and more, make it quick and easy to enter health information. And, the optional direct entry of healthcare industry codes makes it even more convenient.
   • Having your medical and health information stored on your computer, not on the Internet.
   • One Minerva Flash Drive with each product software order so you can export your family health information in a password-protected format that can be shared with doctors and emergency personnel.

6. What is a Continuity of Care Record/Document (CCR/CCD)? A CCR or CCD is a core data-set of the most relevant current and past information on a patient's health status and healthcare treatments, that is organized and transportable. The CCR standard is a patient health summary standard, usually a subset of an EHR or PHR. It is a way to create flexible documents that contain the most relevant and timely core health information about a patient, and to send these electronically from one care giver to another. It contains various sections such as patient demographics, insurance information, diagnosis and problem list, medications, allergies and care.

7. Why do I need Minerva Health Manager if my doctor keeps my health records? For greater access, portability and control. The information your doctor stores in his/her office may not be immediately available to you, especially in an emergency. And even worse, your health information may be scattered among several healthcare providers, which can make it impossible to keep track of or communicate your health status. Minerva lets you maintain the health records for you and your family in one convenient location so you always have access to your most current health history. And with the Minerva Flash Drive, you can bring your health information with you wherever you go. All of this means you can have greater control over your health.

8. How does Minerva Health Manager work? Minerva is a software solution that you install (after downloading from the Internet) and use on any Windows-compatible computer (read system requirements). You start by creating a Minerva Health Record for yourself by going through each health section and topic and entering as much health information as you have available. After that, you can create additional Minerva Health Records for your spouse/partner, children, and parents by first adding them, and then by going into each of their Minerva Health Records and entering their health information. Health information for other relatives (grandparents, aunts, cousins, etc.), that might be pertinent to your own health, can also be entered. You can also add official test results, documents or x-rays by importing electronic files from a CD or DVD file or scanning each one and attaching them to various health entries. At anytime during this process, you can select certain health information to either print or export to your Minerva Flash Drive for sharing with your doctor or emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.

9. What types of medical records are important to store in Minerva Health Manager? You should store whichever medical records are important to you. However, to make your Minerva Health Record as complete and accurate as possible, we recommend you enter as much health information as you have available. Doing so will ensure you have the important health information available on your Minerva Flash Drive in the event of an emergency.

10. Can I store information related to prescription drugs? Yes, you can store all of your prescription drug information, present and past. You can even log your medications by their National Drug Code (NDC) number, the standardized identification system used for most drug products. Click here for list of Product Features.

11. What kind of health information does Minerva Health Manager store? Minerva can store anything from your name, address and healthcare-related contacts to your diagnoses, symptoms, medications, vaccinations, and copies of your official x-rays. Visit Minerva’s Product Features for more detail on what information you can enter and track. You can also grasp the big picture by watching our Video Tour.

12. Can Minerva store copies of x-rays, MRIs and CT scans? Yes. To do this, you will need to contact your healthcare provider for copies of these images. If your healthcare provider gives these images to you as digital files (.jpg, .mpg or other graphic formats), you can simply attach them to the appropriate health entry in Minerva Health Manager. However, if you are provided with physical copies of these images, you will have to scan them and save them in .jpg, .mpg or other graphic formats before you can attach them within Minerva.

13. How many family members are included with one purchase of Minerva Health Manager? And can each family member use the program? You can create Minerva Health Records for your parents and children (biological and/or adopted as can your spouse/partner. And yes, each family member can use the program. You can assign each family member with their own unique login and password, or you can provide the whole family with the same login and password. Once logged in, a family member has access to the health information for all family members and can add or edit freely.

14. Can I access my Emergency and Personal Health Records when I’m away from home? Yes, with your Minerva Flash Drive. Before you leave home, export the health records you wish to take with you to your Minerva Flash Drive using the Export Wizard. You can then take your health records with you wherever you go. Anyone will be able to view your Emergency Health Records by inserting your Minerva Flash Drive into a computer’s USB port. However, to view your Personal Health Records, the Minerva Flash Drive must be inserted into a Windows-compatible computer and a password will be required. If you choose, you can always print reports and take them with you.

15. How do I obtain my medical records from my doctor? And will I be charged to get them? Just ask your healthcare provider for a copy. Federal law requires health plans, most health care providers, and health care clearinghouses to allow you to see and get copies of your medical records. In addition, most states have laws that allow patients or their designated representatives to obtain copies of their medical records, usually for a reasonable copying fee. Your request may need to be in writing. If your request for your health records is denied, you can file a complaint with your health care provider, your insurer, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. You may also be able to seek assistance through your state medical privacy regulators.

16. How do I share my health records with my physician? Export the health information you wish to share with your physician to your Minerva Flash Drive. Take your flash drive to your next visit and give it, and your password, to your physician. He/she will be able to view and/or print your Personal Health Record by inserting your Minerva Flash Drive into a Windows-compatible computer and entering your password to unlock your records. If you choose, you can always print reports to bring with you for your visits.

17. In an emergency, how can I (or someone else) access my health records? You, or someone responding to an emergency, can access your Emergency Health Records off your Minerva Flash Drive by inserting the drive into any computer USB port (Mac or PC). This is why it is a good idea for you and your family members to always carry your Minerva Flash Drive with you in your wallet next to your driver’s license or somewhere else where others will be able to access it in the event you cannot.

18. Can I store insurance information? Yes, you can store all of your insurance information for easy reference, including health, dental and life. Click here for list of Product Features.

19. Is Minerva Health Manager reimbursable by insurance? Personal health record software, such as Minerva Health Manager, is generally not reimbursed under most insurance policies. Talk to your health insurance carrier if you are unsure.

20. Is Minerva Health Manager a reimbursable expense from my Flexible Spending Account? Minerva Health Manager may be a reimbursable expense from your Flexible Spending Account, however, please consult your Flexible Spending Account Administrator or your tax advisor.

21. Is Minerva Health Manager tax-deductible? Minerva Health Manager may be tax deductible, however, please consult your tax advisor.