Kaiser Permanente Patient Placement

I have researched many websites after Googling a medical condition and then compare the information. Information sites like WebMD provide useful information. However, they must not be a replacement for advice from a medical professional. I firmly believe that consumers need to educate themselves, and I have often heard patients discussing with the doctor about what they have read on the web about their condition and possible treatment options.
Having no prior knowledge of Microsoft HealthVault, I signed up for an account and created a basic profile. HealthVault might be useful to anyone with a complicated medical history or if a family needs to manage another family member’s medical history. Personally, I have several people in my family who are diabetic, and HealthVault supports their glucose meters.
The Kaiser Permanente patient portal allows me to make appointments, email my providers, review labs, and order prescriptions and pay my copays.
Admittedly, after researching a medical problem on a site like WebMD, I often email my provider to see if I need to come in for an appointment. Currently, Kaiser also allows you to set up a video visit appointment in many specialty departments.
Having worked as medical biller many years ago, I had some prior knowledge of the disparity in the amount charged and also what the medical provider receives as reimbursement from the insurance carrier. Although, many consumers would be shocked to see the inconsistency of what different facilities charge based on the procedure I doubt many would be able to navigate the Data. Gov site. Also, many consumers do not have an option of the facility a surgery is performed because either it is an emergency situation or they have surgery carried out at the facility their medical provider is on
staff.