SPOTLIGHT: Health plans consumer Web strategies finally taking off

For many years health insurers have struggled (or refused) to represent the information they have about their members back in useful form to their members. In an era of online banking and airline reservations systems, health plans have been badly behind. Finally this trend may be changing, with WebMD Health, on an ASP basis, leading the provision of personal health records, personalized health information and tools and benefit information directly linked to members claims and service use. Senior VP at WebMD Health, David Vinson told an audience at the Information Therapy conference in Utah that the service is up and running at Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, with other partnerships announced--including one with health insurance giant Wellpoint. Release