Google Health Beta was launched earlier today. This is a free service that provides an online space for patients to store their health information and share them with healthcare providers. Patients can either enter their information manually or have them imported automatically from a small list of providers such as the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Cleveland Clinic, and Walgreens Pharmacy. Google is also offering “personal health services” in partnership with various organizations and medical centers. There is a Heart Attach Risk Calculator from the American Heart Associated (AHA) that uses the patient’s health profile to estimate their 10-year risk of having a heart attack. There is also a convenient retail medical service from Cleveland Clinic where “top specialists provide medical second opinions and pre-adoption and nutrition consultations.” The convenience, however, comes with a high price tag: $565 for a remote consultation ($745 if a pathology review is needed).
Google Health signals an interesting trend where online connectivity can expand patients’ choices and support market-friendly retail healthcare solutions. However, Google is far from creating real value for patients since lack of price transparency and widespread competition among medical providers are still leaving consumers operating in the dark and are the driving force behind Cleveland Clinic’s ability to charge whatever their hearts desire.
More info: Google Health, Cleveland Clinic
