Farzad Mostashari, MD, Explains the Blue Button Initiative

Farzad Mostashari, MD, CEO, Aledade Inc, former National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, says that the Blue Button Initiative is a concept that allows patients to receive a copy of their own health information and use it however they like. They can share their information with a 3rd party, or even use it to better manage their health and finances. The Blue Button Concept eases the flow of health information by creating a place where patients can access it online.

“We now have the biggest insurers in the country, the biggest pharmacies in the country, some of the biggest pharmaceutical manufacturers with the clinical trials,” Dr Mostashari says. “It’s basically become part of meaningful use that says if you want to be a doctor or hospital that gets the incentive payments or voids the penalties, you need to do this.”

He adds that the concept is “empowering patients” and “creating opportunities for innovation” by employing consumer technology that facilitates the improvement of patient health outcomes.