Google Health Adds Two Health PlansGoogle Health Adds Two Health Plans

Two more health insurance companies -- Harvard Pilgrim Health Care and the American Postal Workers Union Health Plan -- have agreed to provide patient data to Google's electronic personal health record platform.

That brings the tally to three insurers that are promoting the use of Google Health to their members, and are agreeing to provide claims-related information about prescription drugs, immunizations, illnesses, procedures, and other health data to Google's personal health records with patients' consent.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts was the first insurer to connect its records to Google Health and to promote Google's personal health record as an option for members managing their health information via the web.

The APWU Health Plan, which is a non-profit health insurer of the American Postal Workers Union, is offering Google Health through its High Option PPO plan. Members will get 18 months of data copied into their Google Health account upon signing up, and automatic health information updates from there on.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, which provides health coverage to about 777,000 members in New England states, will also offer the option of having patient records securely imported to Google Health. Once a member links his or her Harvard Pilgrim Health Care portal account to Google Health, data will be automatically updated as doctors generate new claims.

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