Hsg
Remember the colloboration effort announced moons ago re cmiv working together with microsoft. wondering if this is the area of joint collaboration. in any case interesting news re the use of smart cards in the health care world:
Healtheon/WebMD, Microsoft and Humana Announce Strategic Collaboration At the National Managed Health Care Congress
PR Newswire - April 17, 2000 08:20
Humana Leverages Microsoft Smart Card Technology and Healtheon/WebMD's Internet Portal to Provide Their Members With Secure Connectivity
ATLANTA, April 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT), Healtheon/WebMD (Nasdaq: HLTH), and Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) announced a collaboration to leverage Microsoft Windows for Smart Card technology to authenticate Humana members and enable consumers to securely exchange information through the use of Healtheon/WebMD's MyHealthRecord. The three companies are announcing this capability today in The Business Internet for Healthcare pavilion at The National Managed Health Care Congress (NMHCC) in Atlanta.
Humana will be the first managed care company to implement Microsoft's Windows(R) for Smart Card technology, integrating Humana's members with Healtheon/WebMD's Internet portal. Windows Powered Smart Cards, which are the size of a credit card, have a crypto-capable microprocessor and can perform a number of practical applications, such as secure corporate log-ons for Windows 2000; Web and phone authentications; and medical data storage.
Humana and Healtheon/WebMD announced a strategic relationship in January to leverage Healtheon/WebMD's professional and consumer transaction platform, with transaction capability available nationwide as early as May 2000.
"We've forged a relationship with Microsoft because we believe Windows for Smart Card technology combines the security features and convenience for our members," said Bruce J. Goodman, Humana's senior vice president and chief information officer. "Humana's goal is to be able to harness the power of the Internet using Microsoft Smart Card technology to integrate with Healtheon/WebMD's Internet portal to give our members a secure, convenient way to access information pertaining to their health."
"Microsoft, through our collaboration with Humana, is continuing to provide end-to-end healthcare platform solutions by bringing the safety and convenience of Windows for Smart Cards technology to the demanding, real-world healthcare environment," said Paul Smolke, industry manager for e-health and physician market segments at Microsoft. "Windows Powered Smart Cards will enable Humana's members to have increased access to their health records without compromising security or convenience."
Healtheon/WebMD, Microsoft and Humana's combined vision is to drive use of the Internet as a universal healthcare communications platform to improve and integrate business processes across the healthcare industry -- resulting in lower costs, more efficiency and better patient care.
Other partners in The Business Internet for Healthcare booth include LifeStream, Alteer, QCSI, Millbrook, Sequoia and Superior Consultant.
About Healtheon-Web/MD
Healtheon/WebMD is the first end-to-end Internet healthcare company connecting physicians and consumers to the entire healthcare industry. Healtheon/WebMD is using the Internet to facilitate a new system for the delivery of healthcare, resulting in a single, secure environment for all communications and transactions that will enable a more efficient and cost effective healthcare system. Healtheon/WebMD has its corporate headquarters in Atlanta and its technology headquarters in Silicon Valley. For more information visit webmd.com .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
Microsoft and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
About Humana Inc.
Humana Inc., headquartered in Louisville, Ky., is one of the nation's largest publicly traded managed health care companies, with approximately 5.9 million medical members located primarily in 15 states and Puerto Rico. Humana offers coordinated health care coverage through a variety of plans -- health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, point of service plans and administrative service products -- to employer groups, government-sponsored plans and individuals.
More information regarding Humana is available via the Internet at www.humana.com , including on-line copies of our annual report to shareholders, Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs, proxy statement, and recent presentations to investor groups.
SOURCE Healtheon/WebMD |
