Use Cases

Personal health data aggregators

Digital health applications can use Blue Button to give Medicare enrollees a more comprehensive view of their health data. Access to personal health data can make Medicare enrollees more aware of their health conditions, helping them communicate more effectively with their providers. Research shows that thirty percent of Medicare enrollees have 2 or 3 chronic conditions and see 5 or more physicians annually.¹ Helping Medicare enrollees gather their health information in one place makes it easier for them to coordinate care across providers and may minimize redundant procedures.

Insurance plan finders

The Blue Button API data can help filter insurance plan options based on a Medicare enrollee’s specific health history and needs. Medicare enrollees can use insurance plan finder tools directly or Medicare brokers can use these tools to advise patients on the best plan options.

For example, with Blue Button you can:

• Use claims and utilization data to make personalized recommendations for new plan options.
• Estimate prescription costs to optimize Medicare plan guidance.
• Check if a Medicare enrollee’s current providers are in-network for various plan options.

Clinical research studies

Organizations conducting healthcare research and clinical trials often require participants to fill out long forms or regularly submit data over the course of the study. Medicare enrollees can authorize a research study to automatically pull their claims data with Blue Button, reducing the need for manual data entry.

Health record sharing

The Blue Button API can make it easy for Medicare enrollees to share their health data with doctors, pharmacies, caregivers, and others.

You can use Blue Button to:

• Integrate Blue Button data with Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems to import current health information.
• Allow patients to share health information like current medications, lab results, and medical imaging with providers.
• Give caregivers an accurate picture of a Medicare enrollee’s health data to facilitate care coordination and communication with providers.