E-health to be rebranded under overhaul

The federal government will launch opt-out trials for a revamped e-health system next year, hoping to boost the number of people who hold an electronic record.

Labor's under-used e-health system faces an overhaul and rebranding with the federal government splashing almost $500 million over four years in Tuesday's budget.

The coalition has long been critical of the previous government's scheme, which has only been taken up by about one in 10 Australians.

Despite fears the government would dump the system altogether, Health Minister Sussan Ley has pledged to fix "Labor's mishandled attempts" to establish e-health records.

Key to the rebranded 'My Health Records' scheme will be an opt-out trial in at least two areas in 2016.

Labor's Personally Controlled Electronic Health Records are based on an opt-in system, which has been blamed for the poor take-up of electronic records.

WHAT'S IN THE BUDGET FOR E-HEALTH

* $485.1 million over four years to overhaul e-health.

* Rebrand Labor's failed 'My Health Records' system.

* Trial an opt-out system to boost take-up.