Pilot Program Tests Personal Health Records

BALTIIMORE–Last week, CMS announced details of a new project
encouraging Medicare beneficiaries to take advantage of
Internet-based resources to track health care services and
communicate with their providers.

Premiering in South Carolina, the pilot program uses an online
personal health record (PHR) to help beneficiaries collect and
access information about their health or health care services, such
as medical conditions, hospitalizations, doctor visits and
medications. CMS said it will ensure privacy and security
safeguards are in place to protect the beneficiary data.

For the voluntary pilot, beneficiaries will use a PHR populated
by their own Medicare claims data. Key information from providers’
claims will be automatically entered once the individual registers
and requests the data.

A PHR is different than an electronic health record (EHR), which
is owned by and under the control of the physician, in that it is
under the control of the patient. The beneficiary will control who
is able to see the information in the PHR and will decide whether
and with whom the information can be shared–from health care
providers to caregivers and family members.

The test program, which began on April 4, is expected to run for
12 months. CMS said it will use information from the pilot to
determine future steps with respect to PHRs.

The South Carolina PHR pilot follows another initiative launched
in June of 2007 in which CMS is collaborating with seven health
plans to test the use of PHRs for beneficiaries who are enrolled in
a Medicare Advantage or Part D prescription drug plan.

More information about the project is available at
www.myphrsc.com.