Medicare beneficiaries are turning to the Internet to help manage their health, according to a new survey by Kaiser Permanente, Healthcare IT News reports.
Kaiser surveyed 4,560 Medicare beneficiaries about their:
- Comfort using computers;
- Internet habits; and
- Health status, including chronic conditions and prescriptions.
The survey found that more than 87% of Medicare beneficiaries registered to use Kaiser Permanente's My Health Manager personal health record are satisfied or very satisfied with the technology.
Survey respondents reported enjoying using My Health Manager to:
- Schedule appointments;
- E-mail physicians; and
- Review test results.
The most popular PHR feature was refilling prescriptions online, according to the survey.
The survey found that 70% of respondents reported being in good or better health. In addition, respondents who reported being in excellent health were significantly more engaged in their health care than those who reported being in poor health, the survey found (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 7/14).