Electronic Personal Health Records: Convenience or Privacy Risk?
Over the past few years, there have been several attempts to create effective online systems that can store, manage and allow access to Personal Health Records (PHRs) free of charge. Electronic PHR systems have been flaunted by proponents as a means of allowing consumers to access and organize their own health records, but many online PHR systems have been hampered by low participation due to either lack of branding and/or lack of trust that the provided information will remain private. Now that well-known companies such as Google and Microsoft have made the move to launch their own PHR products, only one question remains: can these information moguls keep health information protected enough to make their products successful?
When Google Health was formally launched on May 19, 2008, users could have instant access to their personal health records – free of charge – through a secure online portal hosted by Google. The service allows individuals to store information such as lab test results and family health histories, provide healthcare-related search features and wellness regimens, refill prescriptions, and schedule doctor appointments. There is even a “virtual pillbox” that notifies users via a message to their cell phones when to take a certain medication. The system is actually one of the most advanced PHR management tools of its kind, but its success may hinge on how well it protects consumer health data.
The launch of Google Health and the pending launch of Microsoft’s product may help raise awareness to the many convenient benefits of PHR usage, but they may also draw more attention to the potential privacy pitfalls involved. Because online PHRs are still so new, standards and legislation regarding their protection are still under development. In many cases, and possibly that of the Google Health service, PHR is not protected by the HIPAA health privacy rule. Because of this, private health information in the wrong hands may be sold to, rented to or otherwise shared with marketers, commercial data brokers or other pharmaceutical and insurance companies without the individual’s consent. In addition, PHR records can be more easily subpoenaed by a third party than standard health records.
According to Google executives, the PHR data entered into the Google Health system is highly encrypted and secured by an infrastructure more secure than the one protecting Google’s search technology. But even with guarantees of security, concerns about the protection of PHR may continue to hamper vendors like Google and Microsoft for some time – or at least until other covered entities specified under HIPAA, such as medical carriers, become more involved.
Starting this fall, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts will become the first insurer to participate in Google Health. As a result, their members will be able to open a health information account, authorize the sharing of their medical data, and review their claims and certain medical records. Several major insurers already offer services to manage health records at a fee paid by the employers, but this is the first time a major medical carrier has utilized a free service to handle PHRs. Could carrier involvement be the answer to the HIPAA concerns of these free online services? Only time will tell.
If maintained and used properly, electronic personal health records could help to make the healthcare system more productive and efficient. However, as long as security and privacy issues remain a concern, widespread public adoption may be out of reach for some time.
For more information, please visit the following links:
Google Executives Pledge Privacy as They Roll Out Google Health
A Shot in the Arm for Health Records?
BCBS of Massachusetts to Become First Insurer to Participate in Google Health
Online Medical Records Offer Convenience, May Limit Privacy
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July 3, 2008
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