Telehealth Monitor

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology is testing an online template for an electronic personal health record that will be tested with consumers through October, according to an announcement.

An electronic personal health record typically includes a person’s health information, including a health history, vaccinations, allergies, test results and prescription information. Several vendors, including Google, Microsoft, Revolution Health and WebMD, are providing tools for such records as a service to consumers.

Because the concept is new and use sensitive information, and because vendors typically offer such information in different formats, the Health and Human Service Department’s national coordinator for health IT is developing an online model with the goal of allowing consumers to make informed decisions about selecting and using such records, states a Federal Register notice of May 22. Public comments are due in 30 days.

via HHS tests template for electronic health record — Federal Computer Week.

Health information technology programs in the Health and Human Services Department would receive a total of $108 million next year, the same amount of funding as the two previous years, according to details of the proposed Fiscal 2010 Budget released May 7).

The appendix documents add funding information to agency programs that were not available when President Barack Obama published his proposed budget overview in February.

At that time, the administration requested $76.8 billion for HHS programs, with much of the funding directed at expanding technology, research and access to health care.

via HHS 2010 budget would direct $108 million for health IT — Government Health IT.