The Johns Hopkins Gazette: December 11, 2000
December 11, 2000
VOL. 30, NO. 14

  

HopkinsHealth Announces First of Initial Partners

Johns Hopkins Gazette Online Edition

HopkinsHealth, the university and health system's commercial consumer health information program, has signed an agreement with Definity Health, which this fall launched a new consumer-driven health benefit, that will provide Definity Health members access to Hopkins' extensive consumer health and wellness resources.

Under terms of the three-year agreement, which was announced Dec. 1, Hopkins will provide to Definity Health its extensive consumer health information library as well as editorial services to create a wide range of customized information materials and tools to support Definity Health's members. The content will be available to them March 1, 2001.

Based in Minneapolis, Definity Health was founded in 1999 under the name HealtheCare. Under the Definity Health benefit, members pay for routine health care services of their choice out of their personal care account, which is funded by employers at a set amount each year; any funds left in the account at year-end roll over and may be used by employees for future medical expenses. If employees encounter more serious medical needs, health coverage complements the personal care account to cover expenses.

"For employees who choose the Definity Health benefit, access to reliable and robust health information is absolutely critical as they exercise their freedom to make their own health care choices and take greater responsibility for how their health benefit dollars are spent," said Tony Miller, Definity Health chief executive officer. "Through this content agreement, we are delighted to be able to offer our members in-depth and highly trusted health content from one of the world's most respected academic medical institutions."

Definity Health is the first of four initial partners of HopkinsHealth, and will have limited exclusivity in the online consumer health plan market.

"HopkinsHealth is developing a portfolio of smart, forward-thinking online partners who share our mission of not simply educating consumers but also making a difference in the way health care will be practiced in the future," said Steve Libowitz, the senior director of HopkinsHealth. "We think Definity Health is just such a company, and we're excited to be part of a promising approach to managing employee health benefits."

Through the partnership, Definity Health members will have access to the extensive consumer health encyclopedia developed with and approved by physicians, scientists and researchers at the schools of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing. HopkinsHealth experts also will offer Johns Hopkins-hosted Web events, expert medical decision services, personal medical librarian services, health risk assessments and cutting-edge medical technology assessment reports.


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