Mass. BCBS becomes first insurance company to partner with Google Health
BOSTON Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has teamed up with Google Health to expand options for members who want to create their own Personal Health Record. BCBSMA is the first health insurance company to sign an agreement to integrate on the Google Health platform.
After the integration is complete, BCBSMA members can import their claims data into their Google Health profile safely and securely.
Cleve Killingsworth, chairman and chief executive officer of BCBSMA, said “we believe Google Health will be an important tool used by our members to improve the safety and effectiveness of their health care.” Killingsworth added that the partnership demonstrates BCBSMA’s continuing leadership in using technology to make health care better. He pointed to BCBSMA’s funding of the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative and its role as a founding member of the Massachusetts eRx Collaborative.
Integration with the Google Health product is expected to be completed by the fall. Google Health, a free service, will be offered to BCBSMA members at that time. To ensure confidentiality and patient choice, members will have to elect to start a Google Health Account and authorize the import and sharing of their BCBSMA claims data with Google Health.
Once this sharing relationship is established, Google Health will, according to BCBSMA, give its members the ability to:
- Organize, store and manage their medical records and personal health information online in one secure location, including BCBSMA claims data;
- Download medical records and prescription history from other connected providers, such as retail pharmacies, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, labs and doctors offices;
- Share their medical information with providers and or third party services they may offer customized services;
- Learn about important health issues and potential drug-to-drug interactions;
- Search for a doctor or hospital online.