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Interoperability

What is Patient Access API?

Patient Access API is a system that allows for the secure transfer of information from BlueCross to apps of your choosing. You can use these apps to access information from your health plan. This includes records from your doctor visits or clinical information we may use for case management, care coordination, or other programs or services. 

Right now, this option is available to our Medical Advantage and Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan members. It may expand to include other plans in the future.

We value your privacy and won’t release your information without your consent. If you do consent for us to share your data, we can ensure its transfer is secure. We cannot, however, control how a third-party app uses your information once we release it. 

Protect your privacy

We strongly recommend you carefully vet third-party apps before connecting them with Patient Access API. A good place to start is by reading the terms of use. This sometimes is called the end user licensing agreement. Also review the app’s privacy policy. Look for details such as:

  • What health information the app collects
  • If it collects non-health information, such as your location from your device
  • How the app stores information 
  • What security measures are in place for protecting your privacy
  • Whether the app shares or sells information 
  • If the app allows you to limit disclosure of your data
  • If there are impacts to your family members’ privacy
  • What you can do if you’re unhappy with the app after consenting to release your data to it

Getting started

Once you’ve selected a third-part app, you can provide authorization for us to share your information with that app through My Health Toolkit®. Simply follow the link provided in the patient portal. If you want to connect with multiple apps, you’ll need to complete a separate authorization for each one.

With your consent, BlueCross will allow the third-party app you authorize to access information such as your:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Diagnoses
  • Treatments
  • Prescription drugs
  • Claims data
  • Case management services
  • Other additional medical data

This will include records from January 1, 2016, to the current year.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I assist my grandmother or another family member in downloading their personal health information into a third-party app?

You will need to be designated a personal representative for your grandmother. You can download an Authorization to Disclose Protected Health Information form to achieve this. Or call the number on the back of your grandmother’s member ID card to talk with a customer service advocate. Once you have submitted that form, you will be granted access.

How do I revoke my authorization for releasing data to the third-party app?

Call the number on the back of your member ID to speak with a customer service advocate.

Why did I get a message saying I cannot import my information into a third-party app?

At this time, only ACA and Medicare Advantage plan members can import their data.

Why do I need to create a username and password?

If you don't already have a My Health Toolkit account, you'll need to create one to provide your authorization. This is so we can confirm you are a health plan member. You can use your My Health Toolkit account to access your benefits information and self-service tools for your health plan. The third-party app you choose will require a separate login, since that is separate from BlueCross.

Why do I need to sign this authorization?

We need your authorization to release protected health information to a third-party app. We also use this authorization to let you know that the app is not subject to federal health information privacy laws such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). While we, your insurer, are subject to that law, third-party apps are regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

How can I get a third-party app?

Several third-party apps are available. You can download them from the app stores for both Apple and Android.

We’re making it easier to access your patient information.

Some BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina members now have the option to retrieve some of their health information via third-party apps that connect through the Patient Access API. If this option is available to you, it’s important to understand how it works and how it might affect your privacy.

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