Last month, we reported Google’s announcement to discontinue Google Health while Microsoft listed HealthVault as a Medical Device. Google’s announcement cited lack of adoption and broad impact. For its part, Microsoft has recently registered with FDA as a Medical Device Manufacturer and listed HealthVault as a Class 1 Medical Device.
Microsoft continues to capitalize on Google’s exit and launches “Direct” tool for the transfer of health data from Google Health service to Microsoft HealthVault
“Google has been an important ally in providing customers with access to their data and tools to better manage care online,” said Nate McLemore, general manager, Microsoft Health Solutions Group in a press release. “Microsoft continues to advance the HealthVault platform to increase its value to consumers – by adding important features, such as support for mobile devices, and by collaborating with hundreds of health organizations, including the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and CVS Pharmacy – to deliver robust health and wellness applications that connect to HealthVault.”
Microsoft leverages the Direct Project messaging protocols established by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT to support this type of scenario. The Direct Project specifies a simple, scalable, standards-based way for participants to send authenticated, encrypted health information to known, trusted recipients over the Internet.