Microsoft says it’s easy to switch health information from Google Health to HealthVault
As people begin to close down their Google Health accounts, Microsoft is trolling for their business. The company announced on Monday that moving all of that saved information on your families health to Microsoft’s HealthVault would be simple. Moving the info is safe and encrypted so you don’t even have to worry about it winding up on some hackers website.
Last month Google announced that it was shutting down it’s online health records application called fittingly, Google Health. It seems that the app was not living up to expectations sending it to the chopping block. Monday, Microsoft announced some good news for those still interested in having their health records online. People can easily move their information from Google Health to Microsoft’s HealthVault.
The steps are simple but could be a bit confusing.
Go to the Google Health account you wish to transfer information from. From the Download menu, select Send profile to another service.
You’ll see a new window. Select Microsoft HealthVault from the services dropdown, then click Send a copy of my profile.
Click the link in the email you receive and follow the instructions you’re given.
Sign in to (or create) your HealthVault account.
View your information in HealthVault.
Once you click on the link in your email, it will take you to Microsoft HealthVault where you will see that the information has been sent. You can then elect to have it added to your HealthVault information. Some of the information may not be able to be added this way and will need to be added manually.
You can easily add information into your HealthVault account, but changing it may be a problem. I have spent over 30 minutes trying to change the phone number in my personal record to no avail. You also have to contend with ever changing advertisements for “tools” at the top of the page as you are trying to enter information. These tools are websites and companies that may be able to give you information on your illness(es) and lifestyle or not.
You can share your information with other individuals and with organizations like hospitals and physicians offices, but you don’t have to share anything. There are also CCDs (Continuity of Care Documents) and CCRs (Continuity of Care Records) that you can add to your HealthVault that are summaries of your care from your doctor. If you have several physicians who treat different ailments, having a collection of CCRs and CCDs from those doctors can help coordinate your care between them.
If you want to continue with your online health records, Microsoft and Google have set up a quick and easy way to transfer from the soon to be defunct Google Health to HealthVault. It’s easy to do and still provides secure online access to your information by PC, tablet or cell phone.
