Thanks to a partnership with Microsoft, Michigan is set to become the first in the nation to provide statewide connectivity of medical and pharmacy data, according to officials.
The Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS), made up of more than 15,000 physicians, is collaborating with Microsoft, Compuware subsidiary Covisint and MedImpact Healthcare Systems, to provide access to its electronic portal, MSMS Connect, in one location through Microsoft HealthVault.
MedImpact, a pharmacy benefit management company headquartered in San Diego tat provides services to 3.5 million patients in the state, will be able to provide patients with prescription information though HealthVault and MSMS Connect. Physicians, who have their patients' permission, will also have access to this information through the portal, enabled through Covisint's cloud-based technologies.
"What an exciting opportunity for physicians and patients in Michigan," said Gregory J. Forzley, MD, chair of the MSMS board of directors. "This puts the patient's medication history at the fingertips of the physician through a simple, secure internet connection into MSMS Connect without the need for electronic prescribing software or an electronic medical record."
"Not only will this help streamline health care delivery, it also offers patients access to their own information so they can work with their physicians to make informed, timely and cost-effective choices," Forzley added.
The partnership will allow patients to store their individual health data, or their whole family's health record, in one location at no cost. HealthVault will offer patients complete control over their electronic health data with the option of sharing it with their physicians and other healthcare providers. Patients can access data from their physicians, health plans, and pharmacies, as well as upload information from medical devices that monitor a number of factors including heart rate, blood pressure and blood sugar.
"Integrated access to health information is critical for patients and their care providers as they make important health decisions," said James Mault, MD, director of new products and business development for Microsoft's Health Solutions Group. "This collaboration represents a new generation of patient-centered healthcare services that empowers Michigan physicians with access to their patients' health records to deliver better quality care with greater efficiency, while improving patient health outcomes."
