Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano yesterday announced Arizona's participation in a two-state pilot that will empower senior citizens to make more informed health care decisions through access to their personal health records (PHRs). The pilot, sponsored by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), will make information about Medicare beneficiaries' personal health care histories available to them safely through the Internet starting in 2009.
"Arizona is a national leader in using technology to improve the quality and reduce the cost of health care," said Napolitano. "These new personal health records will empower Arizona seniors to take a more active role in their health care decisions and improve patient safety."
PHRs are records of health treatments from the patient's health plan and can also include self-reported information. They can help consumers make more informed decisions about their health care.
HHS has awarded contracts to four private providers (Google Health, HealthTrio, NoMoreClipboard.com, and PassportMD) to develop PHRs for this pilot program of Medicare patients in Arizona and Utah.
"This pilot is a major step forward for Medicare. It will provide information and tools that will empower consumers to manage their health better," said Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt. "Importantly, the pilot provides beneficiaries with a choice of products to meet their individual needs."
Arizona was chosen for this pilot based on its large senior population and the momentum for e-health established through the state's Health-e Connection initiative launched by Napolitano in 2005.
"Governor Napolitano has placed Arizona in the forefront of national e-health initiatives," said State CIO Chris Cummiskey. "From the development of the Arizona Health-e Connection Roadmap, to the AHCCCS Medicaid Transformation Project, to the Health Privacy Project, Arizona is a national leader in E-Health."
