[privacy] FW: Insurers to test implantable microchip

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () bsf-llc com>]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060714/ap_on_hi_te/medical_information_microchi
p_1

By THERESA AGOVINO, AP Business Writer Fri Jul 14, 5:34 PM ET 

NEW YORK - In a new test program, Horizon Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New
Jersey plans to implant patients suffering from chronic diseases with a
microchip that will give emergency room staff access to their medical
information and help avoid costly or serious medical errors, the insurer
said on Friday. 

Horizon plans to announce on Monday that it is teaming up with Hackensack
University Medical Center in a pilot program where 280 patients regularly
treated at the hospital will be implanted with a chip containing a code. The
chip would allow emergency room personnel to retrieve a patient's medical
record if the individual can't communicate.

The rice-sized microchip is implanted in a patient's right arm above the
elbow and can be detected using equipment at the hospital.

The hope is that the chips will help doctors avoid medical errors like
duplicating medical tests, dangerous drug interactions and bad diagnoses.

Within the next 30 days, Horizon will start sending letters to patients with
chronic diseases explaining the new program and inviting them to
participate. The program is voluntary and won't cost the patient any money
to participate.

Patients with chronic conditions are the program's target because they are
more likely to have serious medical problems that could leave them unable to
communicate when they are at the emergency room, said Dr. Richard Popiel,
vice president and chief medical officer at Horizon. For example, diabetics
with low blood sugar may become confused or unconscious.

He said Horizon will test the program for two years to see if it warrants
expansion.

VeriChip Corp. makes the chips and detection equipment. Hackensack already
had the equipment because it was part of VeriChip's development program.

___

On the Net:

Horizon:
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_hi_te/storytext/medical_informati
on_microchip/19664451/SIG=10s1rojt1/*http://www.HorizonBlue.com>
http://www.HorizonBlue.com

Hackensack:
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_hi_te/storytext/medical_informati
on_microchip/19664451/SIG=10mg95e86/*http://www.humed.com>
http://www.humed.com

Verichip: http:
<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_on_hi_te/storytext/medical_informati
on_microchip/19664451/SIG=10tl22pha/*http://www.verichipcorp.com>
http://www.verichipcorp.com

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