July 8, 2012 11:56 pm

Health insurers are now offering consumers mobile apps that place health care and insurance information at their fingertips, enabling them to make more informed health care decisions in a way that is more convenient for them.

Typically these apps are available for smartphones or tablets such as iPhones and iPads free of charge to anyone enrolled in an insurance carrier's health benefit plan.

Health care mobile apps offer information on a variety of health and wellness topics and enable consumers to manage their health care needs and expenses, including:

Contacting a registered nurse 24/7 for information regarding any kind of medical topic.

Downloading the health plan ID card to their smartphone, and emailing or faxing the card directly from the mobile device to a physician's office or hospital.

Saving information about their favorite care providers and personal notes from each doctor's visit.

Locating nearby physicians, hospitals, emergency rooms and urgent care centers using the smartphone's GPS function.

Requesting a callback from the health insurance carrier on specific questions they may have about their claims and benefits.

Viewing information on the status of deductible and out-of-pocket spending, and checking account balances for health reimbursement, flexible spending and health savings accounts.

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