Coronavirus (COVID-19) and Your Health
Visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the latest official coronavirus (COVID-19) health information from the federal government.
There, you'll learn:
- How to protect yourself from COVID-19
- Symptoms, testing, and what to do if you think you're sick
- Health tips for travelers, medical professionals, and businesses
Select a state on the CDC's U.S. map of coronavirus cases for details on the virus in that state.
Local COVID-19 Testing Locations and Health Information
Visit your state health department website or check with your county or local health department for testing locations and the latest coronavirus information, resources, and guidance.
Find Answers to Your Medical Questions
The MedlinePlus search tool is from the National Library of Medicine. Find easy-to-understand information you can trust about diseases and medical conditions, drugs and supplements, and medical research and clinical trials. You’ll also find helpful videos and medical illustrations. MedlinePlus is ad-free and does not endorse any products.
How to Use the Search Tool: Type a word or phrase into the search box, and then click the search MedlinePlus button or press the enter button on your keyboard.
Note: The search results are for general informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are having a medical emergency, CALL 911.
Help and Support for Caregivers
As a caregiver for a parent, spouse, or child with special needs, you may need help. These resources and suggestions can help you find emotional and task support.
Federal Government Caregiver Resources
Alzheimer’s Caregiving - Find out from the National Institute on Aging how to be a caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. Learn skills for coping with a loved one’s behavioral changes.
Caregiver Resources - The National Institute of Health's MedlinePlus site has an overview of caregiver services. It also offers resources to help you protect your own health.
Caring for the Caregiver - This resource from the National Cancer Institute is for family and friends who are caring for a person with cancer.
Managing Someone Else’s Money Guide - The family member you're caring for may not be able to handle their bills themselves. Get information about managing their finances from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
The VA Caregiver Support Line helps people caring for veterans. Find services and benefits for your loved one and get support for yourself.
Office of Women’s Health Caregiver Page - Get tips on how to prevent or relieve caregiver stress and how to find and pay for home health care services.
State and Local Caregiver Support Resources
Additional Support for Caregivers
If you're not able to leave your loved one at home but need emotional support, an online support group might be a good option. Be careful not to give out detailed personal, medical, or financial information to anyone online to protect against fraud or scams.
A medical history report is a summary of your medical conditions. Insurance companies use these reports to decide if they will offer you insurance. You have the right to get a copy of your report from MIB, the company that manages and owns the reporting database.
Sources of Information for a Medical History Report
If you reported a medical condition on an insurance application, the insurer may want to report it to MIB. An insurer can only share your medical condition with MIB if you give written permission. If you do give permission, the condition will be included in your medical history report.
Your medical history report does not include your complete medical records. Doctors, hospitals, pharmacies, and other health professionals can’t submit information to MIB. The report won’t include every diagnosis, blood test, or a list of your medicines.
A piece of information stays on your report for seven years. Your report can only be updated when you apply for an insurance policy with an MIB-member company, and give them permission to submit your medical conditions to MIB.
How Insurers Use Medical History Reports
When you apply for insurance, the insurer may ask for permission to review your medical history report. An insurance company can only access your report if you give them permission. The report contains the information you included in past insurance applications. Insurers read these reports before they'll approve applications for:
- life
- health
- long-term
- critical illness, or
- disability insurance applications.
Request Your Free Medical History Report
You have the right to get one free copy of your medical history report, also known as your MIB consumer file, each year. You can request a copy for:
- Yourself
- Your minor child
- Someone else, as a legal guardian
- Someone else, as an agent under power of attorney
You can request a medical history report online from MIB or by phone at 1-866-692-6901.
Not everyone has a medical history report. Even if you currently have an insurance plan, you won't have a report if:
- You haven't applied for insurance within the last seven years
- Your insurance policy is through a group or employer policy
- The insurance company isn’t a member of MIB
- You didn’t give an insurer permission to submit your medical reports to MIB
Medical ID Reports and Scams
Use your medical history report to detect if you are a victim of medical ID theft. You may be a victim if there is a report in your name, but you haven't applied for insurance in the last seven years. Another sign of medical ID theft is if your report includes illnesses that you don't have.
File a Dispute
Review your report to verify that it only includes medical conditions that you have. Request a re-investigation if your report is incorrect. Email your dispute to infoline@mib.com or write:
MIB Disclosure Office
50 Braintree Hill Park, Suite 400
Braintree, MA 02184.
Report unresolved disputes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
