Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will become the first health insurance company to give its members the ability to create their own personal health records using Google Health.
The integration with Google Health will provide BCBSMA's members the ability to import their claims data into their Google Health profile.
In doing so, BCBSMA members will be able to organize, manage and store their health information in one place, as well as share it with healthcare providers and third party services.
The platform will also allow members to download medical records and prescription history from connected providers, such as retail pharmacies, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, labs and doctors' offices.
Additional functions include searches for physicians and hospitals and information on potential drug-to-drug interactions.
"Our members tell us they want easier and more portable access to their health care information," said Steven Fox, BCBSMA's vice president of Provider Network Management. "Having this information in one place can play an important role in managing a member's health and helping members and their doctors make health care decisions that can improve the quality of care they receive."
BCBSMA members will have to start a Google Health Account and authorize the import and sharing of their claims data with Google Health. Members who wish to discontinue or delete their Google Health profile will be able to do so at any time.
"We believe Google Health will be an important tool used by our members to improve the safety and effectiveness of their health care," said Cleve Killingsworth, chairman and CEO of BCBSMA. He said the partnership demonstrates BCBSMA's continuing leadership in using technology to make healthcare better.
Integration with the Google Health product is expected to be complete this fall.
Will Google's Health platform help to increase the adoption of electronic health records? E-mail Associate Editor Molly Merrill at molly.merrill@medtechpublishing.com.