Utah seniors are experimenting with free Web programs to develop records that can share health data from family history to up-to-date test results. And with the Medicare pilot program now being extended, more people can sign up.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has decided to extend the program here and in Arizona through June 30, said CMS regional spokesman Michael Fierberg.

The goal of the pilot Personal Health Record program, which began in 2009, is to give Medicare beneficiaries more control over their health information, allowing them to electronically track and manage their care.

Electronic medical records are digital files controlled by health care providers, while personal health records are created and maintained by patients. Both are aimed at improving communication and care.

Privacy for the Web-based Medicare pilot project is assured, say the four companies chosen to run it. And because the records are portable, presumably they can save time at a doctor's office and reduce medical errors.

In the project, Medicare claims data are being automatically loaded onto the personal record at no charge to the individual. Such claims may or may not include medication information, said Amy Rees Anderson, CEO of MediConnect, formerly known as PassportMD.

"It wouldn't give you everything, but it would give you a pretty good jump-start," Anderson said.

Clients are encouraged to add all the information they wish.

"Ultimately, what you want to have is your list of doctors, all your list of conditions, medication, your allergies, emergency contact info. If you have diabetes, you might be tracking your glucose levels," Anderson said. "The important part is, you control it, and you control the access."

The other three companies involved in the pilot are GoogleHealth, Health Trio and NoMoreClipboard.com. Only MediConnect is based in Utah, though it provides service around the world.

CMS is capturing how many times they have actually given out the claims data during the pilot, which began in January 2009.

Fierberg said as near as CMS can tell, about 700 Utahns have taken advantage of the program.

Arizona has far more participants, but then the state has at least three times as many eligible residents.

Another reason for Utah's relatively low response: The program is open only to those on traditional Medicare.

Medicare Advantage plans are more popular here than in Arizona. That means at least 40 percent of Medicare beneficiaries in Salt Lake, Utah, Davis and Weber counties were ineligible, Fierberg said.

Many health insurance companies provide some sort of personal health management program, but clients may have to enter all of their data themselves. The Medicare program preloads the basics, giving individuals free rein to make their health histories more complete.

phenetz@sltrib.com —

Medicare personal health record

A pilot program that allows Medicare beneficiaries in Utah and Arizona to track their medical history via the Web will be extended through June 30. Four companies seek participants:

Google Health • www.google.com/health/

Health Trio • www.healthtrio.com/phr.php

NoMoreClipboard • www.nomoreclipboard.com

MediConnect • www.mymediconnect.net —

Medicare clock is ticking

Medicare beneficiaries have until Dec. 31 to review their coverage and decide whether to switch health and prescription drug plans.

Call 1-800-541-7735 to find a local Medicare counselor

For online counseling or research plans, visit www.medicare.gov.