Archive for October 19th, 2007

Google to Announce Google Health Next Year

October 19, 2007

In Information Week, there is a report of an announcement from Google (Marissa Mayer) at a Web 2.0 conference that Google will announce its offering early next year.

Google has developed a prototype online platform for its health offering that incorporates personal medical records, health care-related search features, diet and exercise regimens, a localized ‘find a doctor’ application, and other elements.”

And, “While the focus will be on improving health care and making records more accessible and portable for patients, Google will also improve life for physicians.”

As the article notes, Microsoft appears to have been first to market with a health product but it will be a fair comparison to be made once Google Health is finally launched.

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Reimbursement for eVisits

October 19, 2007

In a report in Modern Healthcare titled, “ Virtual visits: the new ATMs?“, the experience in Minneapolis of reimbursement for evisits at $35 each is discussed. Fairview Health Services uses MyChart from Epic Systems and has 34,000 enrolled and has received reimbursement for 1000 visits so far. In many cases there is a copay which varies based on the insuror. In a Florida practice which is cash-based, patients don’t seem to mind paying fees which start “at $15 to $20 for a prescription refill, $25 for chronic condition management.”  This is the trend that many in the EMR/PHR world have been hoping for – a method of reimbursement which would help motivate physicians and patients both to adopt secure electronic communication. Will this trend spread? I hope so, but many third parties are still skeptical.

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