Every Illinois Doctor To Get Access To Your Medical Records
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) -- Every doctor in Illinois will soon have electronic access to your medical records.
As WBBM Newsradio's Alex Degman reports, the state has hired InterSystems, a Massachusetts technology firm, which will be paid $7.3 million to lay the groundwork for Illinois' new electronic health information system.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Alex Degman reports
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Brie Callahan, a spokeswoman for Gov. Pat Quinn's office, says the systems are mandated nationwide as part of the national healthcare overhaul.
"We have records that are in disparate places," Callahan said. "So the idea is to bring everybody's records together so that you always have accurate information that is able to be accessed by numerous doctors."
Illinois will front $4 million for the project in what Callahan calls in-kind resources, such as office space and computers. A total of $19 million will come from the federal government over the next four years.
The system must be in place by 2014, but the first phase is expected to be ready by April 2012.