Highmark Blue Shield Launches Personal Health Record
CAMP HILL, Pa., May 23 /PRNewswire/ — Highmark Blue Shield members can view and manage their own health care information through Highmark’s Personal Health Record, which is a private, secure and password-protected Web-based tool available through http://www.highmarkblueshield.com/. As a single-source for health information about members and their dependents, the Personal Health Record from Highmark utilizes medical claims and administrative information as well as information that is entered by consumers themselves.
“Under our country’s current health care system, health information is often disjointed, which leads to inefficient and ineffective medical care,” said Donald Fischer, M.D., Highmark Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President. “The Personal Health Record from Highmark enables consumers to view and manage their own health information, which allows them to take their history to health care providers. It also provides members with a clear picture of their health situation and can recommend the necessary steps and information that will lead towards better health.”
Highmark’s Personal Health Record brings together health-plan-based and member-entered information, which provides consumers with a comprehensive and historical view of their health and encounters with the health care system.
Taking health actions
Using claims data from health, drug and other relevant information, the Personal Health Record offers members a personalized Health Action Plan that provides specific action items for health improvements, links to programs to manage possible health issues and detailed information about health conditions to ensure that members are fully educated about their health and have options to make improvements. Members who are identified with diabetes, asthma, coronary artery disease or one of more than 30 other health topics will get access to a condition manager that provides specific programs, tools and information to take the necessary health actions and better understand their conditions.
Storing health information
The Personal Health Record also allows members to easily enter information about their own health history in order to track all aspects of their personal health information in one centralized and secure system. Record-keeping functionality includes medication tracking, immunizations, physician information, treatment history, allergies and more. The technology also includes health trackers that allow members to keep records on important health measures, such as blood glucose, blood pressure, cholesterol, weight and more.
The detailed personal health history in the Personal Health Record is supplemented with a tool that enables members to prepare for health care appointments with their physician. Additionally, a member can print portions of their individual record to share with providers and other caregivers.
“We know that consumers are interested in taking a more active role in their own health care,” said Fischer. “Offering a Personal Health Record to our members is another way that Highmark is working towards more effective and efficient health care.”
About Highmark Blue Shield
As one of the state’s leading health insurers and with nearly 70 years of community involvement, Highmark Blue Shield helps members live longer, healthier lives by ensuring access to affordable, high quality health insurance and services. Highmark offers the widest range of products, access to all area hospitals and the most responsive customer service. Highmark exerts an enormous economic impact throughout Pennsylvania. A recent study states that Highmark’s positive impact exceeded $2.5 billion. Employing more than 5,000 people in central Pennsylvania and the Lehigh Valley, Highmark provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health.
Highmark Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans. For more information about Highmark Blue Shield, visit http://www.highmark.com/.
Highmark Blue Shield
CONTACT: Leilyn Perri of Highmark Blue Shield, +1-717-302-4243,leilyn.perri@highmark.com
Web site: http://www.highmark.com/http://www.highmarkblueshield.com/