Microsoft Follows Google, Teams-up With Kaiser

In an effort to digitize medical records, Kaiser Permanente, the biggest health maintenance organization in the United States has announced a partnership with Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker. The teaming up ensures safe exchange of health data between Kaiser's My Health Manager- the electronic health records and Microsoft's HealthVault - the health information Web site.

Though the test that will run until November will initially be limited to 156,000 Kaiser employees, wherein they’ll get the opportunity to test the new program by combining their Kaiser's online health records with Microsoft's applications for checking allergies, monitoring weight and other related medical data.

"One of the most important things to test in the short term is the capability of the data exchange. Does data go from one place to another securely and reliably?" said Anna-Lisa Silvestre, vice president of online services at Kaiser.

If successful, the access would be widened to the HMO's 8.7 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia by later this year, Silvestre revealed.

"This is a big step for us, and our first partnership with a consumer health record supplier," Silvestre stated.

The online health program is equipped with the ability to fix up appointments, e-mail doctors, refill prescriptions and access test results online through the HMO's electronic health record, known as My Health Manager.

Apart from this, the program also allows its users to access, control, share and merge their health information with the data stored on the HealthVault.

Ensuring to provide full protection to members’ personal information, Kaiser and Microsoft, said their sites adhere to federal standards for data exchange and include required advanced safeguard tools.

The Kaiser - Microsoft tie-up follows the one between rival Google Inc. and eCleveland Clinic MyChart, a month ago, wherein Google digitized health records through its site - Google Health.

Meanwhile, excited over the new venture, Peter Neupert, vice president of Microsoft's Health Solutions Group said, "As the universe of online health applications continues to grow, people will learn how technology can empower them and their trusted providers to make the most informed decisions about their health and care."