HHS is preparing to evaluate the results of a year-and-a-half pilot program utilized as part of the Obama initiative on health reform. Specifically, the program strives to inform CMS how Medicare beneficiaries use their personal health record (PHR). The pilot, which is about to conclude, is being implemented in Utah and Ariz.

Doctor Pundit has interviewed one of the CEOs of the vendors chosen by Obama in this effort — Amy Rees Anderson of MediConnect.

Says HHS:

Current PHR business models represent broad and varied uses, from disease management to health promotion, with sponsors consisting of commercial vendors, heath plans, employers and healthcare providers. We know very little about why consumers, and specifically Medicare beneficiaries, elect to use PHRs and what functionality they want from a PHR.

Fair enough. Can’t wait for the results. Perhaps the Obama administration’s effort to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Medicare will get a jolt of sound information from this enterprise. | LINK

Related Posts Within Doctor Pundit:

1. Is Adoption of the Electronic Medical Record Worth the Wait (and Expense)? At this point, any objections to the electronic health record/IT...
2. PHR Industry Giant Launches Secure Portal to Streamline Medical Record Upload Process The principles of root cause analyses, process improvements, and quality...
3. Medicare Bonuses Part of Study of Quality under Reform One of the trends of reform in the new year...
4. As Health Reform Develops, GOP Strategies to Cut Spending Evolve The legislative conundrum Wisconsin finds itself in is having repercussions...
5. For Medicare Beneficiaries, Increase in Social Security Payments Tempered by Healthcare Costs The news Wednesday morning of a 3.6 percent increase in...