Press Releases: National
November 6, 2007
Kaiser Permanente Puts Personal Health Record Front and Center
With the re-launch of kp.org, KP introduces My health manager
OAKLAND, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente today announced the unveiling of My health manager – KP's personal health record.
Kaiser Permanente has long been an industry leader in providing online health services. Since initially launching PHR features on kp.org in 2005, registration and usage rates have steadily increased. More than 1.6 million Kaiser Permanente members have signed up on kp.org, making it one of the most actively used PHRs in the world. Now, My health manager gives consumers a simplified way of accessing the tools in one place.
The market recently has seen an influx of personal health records. While there are many definitions of what one should entail, the general objective is to better arm consumers with their personal health information in an effort to allow them to make healthier decisions.
My health manager provides critical time-saving features, including online appointment scheduling and prescription refills. In addition, users have 24/7 online access to lab test results, eligibility and benefits information, and even their children's immunization records. With secure e-mail messaging, members can also communicate with their doctors at anytime, from anywhere. More than 275,000 secure e-mail messages are sent each month to Kaiser Permanente doctors and clinicians, demonstrating growing consumer interest in e-visits.
"Making it easy for members to manage their wellness isn't just the right thing to do, it's what consumers expect," said Anna-Lisa Silvestre, vice president for online services. "Consumers are demanding convenient ways to manage their health."
My health manager takes the PHR to new levels by linking directly to Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect,™ one of the most robust and sophisticated electronic health records anywhere. By providing consumers with access to the same clinical record their doctors see and unique tools to interact with both their providers and health plan, My health manager goes well beyond the standard PHRs powered solely by claims data.
"While some let you view your health record, Kaiser Permanente's My health manager enables members to proactively manage their health," said Silvestre. "We all know that having information and actually taking action with that information are two very different things."
My health manager is a free service available to all Kaiser Permanente members. Members can visit kp.org/register to sign-up to activate and access their personal health records.
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
