Insurer Offering Health Records on Cell Phones

Computerworld - This version of the story originally appeared in Computerworld's print edition.

Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania is betting that its customers will want to keep complex personal health records on their cell phones, especially when they have to keep track of multiple doctors and medications.

The health insurer last month began rolling out a mobile application developed by AllOne Health Group Inc., a health care systems integrator, and Diversinet Corp., a maker of tools to activate and download mobile applications.

Drew Palin, chief development officer at the Blue Cross affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., said that so far, less than 10% of the 600,000 eligible users have tried the application, which is free to members.

Palin said he understands that users might have questions about the applications' privacy, but he contended that the benefits of the system outweigh the risks. And Blue Cross shares those concerns, he added, noting that the data in the system is encrypted and dual-factor authentication techniques are used to control access to that data.

Most of those who have used the mobile system so far are typical early adopters who are open to new technologies and have come to terms with the issue of privacy, said Palin.

Craig Mathias, an analyst at Farpoint Group, said that despite concerns about personal privacy, "all information will eventually be online and mobile."

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