Celebration Health will implement a system that lets patients use technology to read and report personal medical information over the Web. Called HealthCompass, this program uses Internet technology to allow patients to do everything from catch up on pertinent medical information to check up on their billing status. It even permits patients to grant physicians access to personal Web sites on which they store confidential health-related data. And we'll do it over a Cisco foundation. At Allina, Cisco technology has enabled the implementation of high-end applications such as PACS, telemedicine, electronic medical record, and Internet technologies.
Patients can ask billing questions on line and get answers via e-mail.
In addition, Allina has implemented ProviderLink Net for physicians, which enables them to check plan eligibility, make referrals, and submit claims over the Internet. It allows us to think about how we can provide the best health care experience. And providing the right care, at the right time, in the right way, by the right person is what creates the best outcome for the patient at the lowest cost. Their solutions simplify processes and transactions among key constituent groups, including payers, providers, consumers, diagnostic entities, and suppliers. Recently, Healtheon announced plans to merge with WebMD to offer even more Internet-based services and information to both physicians and consumers.