One more partner for the Microsoft HealthVault, press release below. Contrary to all it seems to be the last couple days of posts, this is not a total PHR blog. There has been a lot of news in this area and I just wanted to make sure all were aware that other news will continue to be posted.
This connection with Aetna starts next month, so your insurance information will import in to the HealthVault. I am just taking a wild guess here but this could be the first with others considering following suit. By importing the information it will also allow the consumer to check their insurance records and reconcile any questionable items or errors, as they happen everywhere.
Again, the nice feature here is that if you leave Aetna, your records will still be in the HealthVault, thus as mentioned earlier we might see more insurers jump in. This is a one way option that goes to the HealthVault only from the Aetna PHR until sometime in 2009 when the consumer can choose to send the information back to the Aetna PHR files. See links below for additional related posts. BD
Press Release below:
HARTFORD, Conn., and REDMOND, Wash., October 22, 2008 – Aetna (NYSE: AET) and Microsoft Corp. today announced a collaboration to provide Aetna members with portability of their personal health information. Aetna members will soon be able to transfer the information in their Aetna CareEngine®-Powered Personal Health Record (PHR) directly to Microsoft HealthVault, a security-enhanced, web-based consumer health platform. Information stored in HealthVault will be available to members – even if they change jobs or health plans -- creating a truly portable record of their health.
“We’ve made significant investments in health information technology capabilities because we believe these tools can help advance quality in the health care system, reduce waste and improve the overall health of our members,” said Aetna President Mark Bertolini. “Through our PHR, we have been able to offer our members a tool to help them take control of their health, based on the belief that members own their information and should have access to that information in a secure, easy to use online record. By teaming up with Microsoft, we can now offer them the ability to have continuous access to their health information.”
Beginning in November, Aetna members will be able to log in to their Aetna PHR and transfer the information to a HealthVault account, where it can be stored, accessed and shared, as directed by the member, with health care providers, health plans or a variety of Web applications to help improve health and wellness. In 2009, members will be able to import personal health data from their HealthVault account to their Aetna PHR.
“Our relationship with Aetna represents an important first step in reaching our shared goal of providing consumers with resources to become more informed and engaged in making health and wellness decisions for themselves and their families,” said Peter Neupert, corporate vice president of the Health Solutions Group at Microsoft. “Today, Microsoft and Aetna are collaborating to make it easy for members to use their health information regardless of their employer or health plan. We will continue to work together to explore new ways to bring consumers innovative and practical tools for improving their health.”
Aetna’s PHR, available to approximately six million Aetna members, is pre-populated with a wide variety of health information gathered from across the health care spectrum – such as physician offices, labs, diagnostic treatments and pharmacies. That information is combined with user-entered information such as family health history or allergies and housed in a secure, online location. In addition, it uses the patented CareEngine technology to identify and alert members to potential gaps in care, helping them achieve their optimal health. Aetna’s PHR is also integrated with other wellness resources offered by Aetna, including Aetna’s online wellness program, Simple Steps to a Healthier Life and Aetna Health Connections Disease Management programs. Click here to learn more about the Aetna PHR.
About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 37.2 million people with information 
and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. www.aetna.com
About Microsoft in Health
Microsoft is committed to improving health around the world through software innovation. Over the past 12 years Microsoft has steadily increased its investments in health, with a focus on addressing the challenges of health providers, health and social services organizations, payers, consumers and life sciences companies, worldwide. Microsoft closely collaborates with a broad ecosystem of partners and develops its own powerful health solutions, such as Amalga and HealthVault. Together, Microsoft and its industry partners are working to advance a vision of unifying health information and making it more readily available, ensuring the best quality of life and affordable care for everyone.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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