{"id":1504675,"date":"2022-01-19T04:26:12","date_gmt":"2022-01-19T08:26:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthinfocanada.ca\/being-your-own-data-steward-in-manitoba-during-a-pandemic\/"},"modified":"2024-09-14T16:02:06","modified_gmt":"2024-09-14T20:02:06","slug":"being-your-own-data-steward-in-manitoba-during-a-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/healthinfocanada.ca\/?p=1504675","title":{"rendered":"Being your own data steward in Manitoba during a pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Laura Krawec, <\/em>CHIM<\/strong>, MBNU chapter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"CHIMA<\/a>
‘How to be a good data steward’ infographic by the CHIMA MBNU chapter<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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To help the world combat COVID-19, new health services are available to Manitobans and nationwide. Canadians can now access services online and communicate exclusively with service providers who previously relied on in-person interactions. The success of these services begins with you and the quality of your health information. In this context, being a data steward for yourself, your family, and your extended network means being aware of personal health data integrity and the security factors at play and providing guidance so that everyone can successfully access and manage critical information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have health coverage?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Canadians may assume they always have health coverage, but different factors can impact it. In Manitoba<\/a>, your registration is affected by any change in location or family status. These types of changes need to be reported to local insured benefits branches to ensure continued coverage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The interprovincial agreement on eligibility and portability ensures the original province\/territory covers people for up to three months. Visit your provincial ministry of health\u2019s website for instructions on registering for that province\u2019s health card if you are moving. You should otherwise be covered by reciprocal billing agreements at the host province or territory rates (See the Canada Health Act<\/a> for more information).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Temporary workers, international students, and other non-Canadian citizens should familiarize themselves with their local ministry of health\u2019s website for coverage information while they are in that province. See the Government of Canada website<\/a> for a full listing of the provincial links.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you have your health card, and is it up to date?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your health card<\/a> should be kept securely but accessible, so you can use it when needed. If you don\u2019t have your health card when registering for online services or presenting for services, there is an increased chance of experiencing issues and possibly repeating the process. While other forms of identification may be accepted, using your health card reduces the risk of delays to service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examine the information on your health card, especially if it has been a while since you looked at it. Has anything changed that you need to report to your local branch, like a name or address? Is any of the information wrong or incomplete? While you may have not previously experienced any negative outcomes from this, an increasing number of Canadians are learning how incorrect or discrepant demographic information can contribute to service delays, leading to adverse outcomes and experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Are you having trouble reading elements on the card? Manitoba uses a paper card which can become increasingly difficult to read if fading occurs or folding impacts the integrity of the printing. Guessing your numbers may lead to frustration. Likewise, if you have your numbers written down on a scrap of paper, are you sure it was accurately transcribed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Manitoba
Manitoba Health Card (Registration Certificate). Source: https:\/\/www.gov.mb.ca\/health\/mhsip\/mbcard.html<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Manitoba, turning 18 triggers a change in family status. A new health card is issued to the adult with a new family registration number. If you have turned 18, are a Manitoba resident, and are still using a card with your parent or guardians\u2019 names, you should contact your provincial ministry of health to request a new card with your new family registration number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Something else to consider is whether your health card reflects your name on other pieces of government-issued ID, such as your passport and driver\u2019s license. With the introduction of vaccine passports, discrepancies can increase the potential of encountering problems during travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are you familiar with the data elements on your health card?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Manitoba, family health cards list the head of the family on the front. If you share a card with your family, can you identify your health numbers and those of each of your family members? When providing demographics, it\u2019s crucial to provide the corresponding values for each family member. In Manitoba, residents are given two separate health card numbers. It is important to differentiate when to use the 9-digit personal health information number (PHIN) and the 6-digit family registration number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Registration failed\u2014what next?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you registered for access to test results, vaccination records and\/or vaccination passports but were not successful, here are a few questions to consider before reaching out or while waiting for their support:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Did you really enter everything correctly?