More than half a million Louisianians can now create a free, secure online personal health record (PHR) that they can print out or access from any computer at home or on the road.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is giving many of its customers free access to its new personal health record service, where they can store and organize important health information in a secure, password-protected online record.
Unlike many competing PHRs, the record will remain accessible to the customer even if he or she leaves Blue Cross.
“A personal health record is an invaluable resource that can help our customers make better care decisions,” said Ob Soonthornsima, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana senior vice president and chief information officer. “I’m proud that we are able to offer this service to our customers free of charge, and even more importantly, that our customers can continue to access their personal health records even if they choose another insurance carrier.”
Powered by WebMD,* Blue Cross’ personal health record stores essential health history, current treatments and personal health habits. Customers can use the PHR to track lab test results and other measurements such as weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The service also identifies potentially harmful interactions among medications, herbal supplements and vitamins.
“With our PHR, customers can print a summary of the information they have recorded or fax it to their doctors. They can even grant their doctors access to their personal health records online,” said Soonthornsima. “We believe that sharing these details with physicians will help them provide better-informed and better-coordinated care, which is all part of our company’s mission to provide access to affordable, quality care.”
The personal health record is the latest addition to a variety of online health tools offered by the insurer. Through AccessBlue, the company’s secure, self-service web portal, customers can view a payer-based health record based on Blue Cross claims data. They can also review the status of current claims, order replacement ID cards and handle many other routine requests. Other health tools allow customers to research health conditions and view detailed cost and quality information on most of the state’s hospitals.
“Our customers look to Blue Cross for healthcare answers, and these tools give our customers a trusted source for health guidance,” said Soonthornsima.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is Louisiana-owned and -operated. Marking its 73rd anniversary this year, the company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It is a tax-paying mutual company, owned by its policyholders. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana also has district offices in Alexandria, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport. The company’s subsidiaries include HMO Louisiana, Inc. and Southern National Life Insurance Company, Inc.
*WebMD is an independent company that provides personal health record services for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana and HMO Louisiana, Inc.
