The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Washington, D.C.) has rolled out a new personal health record (PHR) project for beneficiaries covered under traditional Medicare.
CMS says its pilot will use an online PHR to permit patients to collect and access information about their health or healthcare services, such as medical conditions, hospitalizations, doctor visits and medications.
The pilot test will take place in South Carolina, where beneficiaries will be given an opportunity to use a PHR populated by their own Medicare claims data. Key information from hospital and provider medical claims will be automatically entered into the PHR once the individual registers and requests the data. According to CMS, prescription drug information — even for individuals who participate with a Part D Drug Plan — will not be automatically entered into the PHR, but the individual may choose to enter his or her own prescription drug and over-the-counter medications into the PHR.
The pilot, which began on April 4, is expected to run for 12 months. CMS will use information gathered to determine future steps. The PHR tool selected for this pilot is offered by HealthTrio, and the data will be provided through Palmetto GBA, a Medicare contractor. The MyPHRSC pilot is being managed by QSSI, headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., and is currently accepting enrollment.
