Microsoft has a similar project at HealthVault, so this isn't the first such initiative, but that doesn't make it any more palatable to me.

First, I suggest you take a look at the Terms of Service of Google Health, the first thing you see the first time you log in. In particular, since the word HIPAA has become familiar to me for various reasons, I found this paragraph of note:

"4. Use of Your Information

"If you create, transmit, or display health or other information while using Google Health, you may provide only information that you own or have the right to use. When you provide your information through Google Health, you give Google a license to use and distribute it in connection with Google Health and other Google services. However, Google may only use health information you provide as permitted by the Google Health Privacy Policy, your Sharing Authorization, and applicable law. Google is not a "covered entity" under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 and the regulations promulgated thereunder ("HIPAA"). As a result, HIPAA does not apply to the transmission of health information by Google to any third party."

HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act of 1996 provides the following:

1. Standardization of electronic patient health, administrative and financial data
2. Unique health identifiers for individuals, employers, health plans and health care providers
3. Security standards protecting the confidentiality and integrity of "individually identifiable health information," past, present or future.

"Confidentiality and integrity" are the ones I care about most from that list, so despite any assurances by Google, that still disturbs me.

I also checked the privacy statement at HealthVault and didn't see any such reference to HIPAA, which may or may not reassure me. I mean, the lack of any information about it may mean a similar stance as Google's.

Of course, in this day and age, privacy is a long-gone idea, isn't it?

Anyway, you can import your records from a variety of providers, including BBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Longs Drugs Stores, Walgreens Pharmacy, and more. Aside from those, however, you have to manually enter them yourself - which I ain't gonna do, even if I wanted to.

Someday, something like this may be the only way things are done, but for now, despite assurances, I'd like as few places to have as little information about me as possible.

Source: By Tech Ex - http://technologyexpert.blogspot.com/