EXHIBIT 23.1
 
               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
    We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form S-3 to Form S-4)
and related Prospectus of Access Health, Inc. for the registration of 1,000,000
shares of its common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
report dated October 27, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements and schedule of Access Health, Inc. included in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K/A) for the year ended September 30, 1997, and with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Access Health, Inc. included in the
Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-56253) of Access Health, Inc., filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                                               ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Sacramento, California
June 30, 1998