In a move to improve patients' access to their own healthcare information, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (BCBSMA) announced an initiative that enables its members to link their patient data to Google Health Personal Health Records.
The initiative represents the first time a health insurance company has integrated information on the Google Health platform, according to BCBSMA. Given complex care in which a patient may have several physicians, labs, pharmacies, and nontraditional providers at multiple institutions, the patient health record (PHR) with Google Health allows patients to manage their health information in one place. This approach also permits healthcare providers, who otherwise would not have access to the information through their usual channels, to incorporate health data into managing patients' care.
With Google Health, BCBSMA members can organize, store, and manage their medical records and personal health information online. They will be able to download medical records and prescription history from other connected providers, such as retail pharmacies, labs, and doctor offices. Members can also share medical information with providers, learn about important health issues and potentially dangerous drug interactions, and search for a doctor or hospital online.
Launched in May, Google Health allows people to safely and securely store and organize their medical records online, and is available at no charge.
Related Reading
Google offers Google Health for medical records, May 20, 2008
MIE partners with Google Health, March 7, 2008
Google unveils personal medical record service, February 29, 2008
Google, Cleveland Clinic team up on patient records, February 21, 2008
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