• Free? What's the Catch?
• Why did you create this service?
• Who should carry an emergency wallet card?
• Why a paper card? Isn't everything going electronic?
• How do I know my information is safe with you?
• How do you store my personal information?
• How often can I access my health information account?
• How often can I print another wallet card?
• What happens if I forget my password?
• What happens when I use your "e-mail this page to a friend" feature?

Free? What's the Catch?

There is no "catch." Your account and your use of the HIPAOS web site to create your emergency medical wallet card are absolutely free. It wasn't going to be that way. In fact, we started out planning to make it a subscription service, like others on the Internet. But a health worker challenged that idea. "You want as many people as possible to carry vital health information with them," he said, "And you want to encourage them to put your card in their wallet. Don't you think charging a fee defeats those goals?" Instantly, we knew he was right. So, your use of our services is absolutely free. To help keep it that way, we only ask that you support our advertisers.

Why did you create this service?

At first, it was just going to be for close family and friends. Then, everyone who saw one of our wallet cards wanted one. They, too, had family and friends who could benefit. Doctors and nurses wished all of their patients could have one. When first responders started saying the personal health information on these cards could actually save lives in emergencies, a mission was born.

Who should carry an emergency wallet card?

Everyone who drives or rides in cars, boats, airplanes or trains, or who rides a motorcycle. People with allergies. Those who take daily doses of life sustaining "maintenance" drugs. Literally, anyone who might ever have an accident or need emergency first aid.

Why a paper card? Isn't everything going electronic?

Electronic systems are only good when electrons are flowing. People in regions where electric power has been lost for a couple weeks or more know what it's like to have no computers and no Internet access all that time. First responders can not wait for the power to come back on, and neither should you. That's what we mean when we say this little card may someday save your life.

How do I know my information is safe with you?

No account or personal information can be accessed or retrieved when a visitor browses the public (pre-login) areas of any HIPAOS web site. Only you will know your secret password, and without that no one can gain access to your medical information. We are obligated to make every reasonable effort to protect your medical information and your personal privacy from disclosure to anyone. We take that obligation seriously, and have taken steps to meet or exceed the highest standards for Internet security. Plus, we will have no access to your medical information unless you grant specific permission.

How do you store my personal information?

All information you provide is stored in a secure system that is owned and managed by trusted HIPAOS contractors. Your data is garbled by our encryption programs before being stored. What does that mean to you? Even if a hacker gets through our formidable safeguards, all they can retrieve will be gibberish.

How often can I access my health information account?

You have unlimited access 24/7.

How often can I print another wallet card?

Any time you want. In fact, we encourage you to print extra copies. Put one on the outside of your refrigerator. Put another in your glove compartment, or anyplace first responders are likely to look. Give one to a trusted relative or friend, or to your Health Care Surrogate if you have named one. And above all, make sure the one in your wallet is always up to date.

What happens if I forget my password?

Our computers will store your password as part of our security system. No human will have access to it. Should you ever need password help, simply click on the "Forgot My Password" link, and our computer will automatically send it to you via e-mail.

What happens when I use your "e-mail this page to a friend" feature?

If you use our referral service to inform a friend about our site, the friend's e-mail address is not saved, and we do not contact the friend again. We will ask for the friend's e-mail address for the sole purpose of sending this one-time e-mail.