14 DAY TRIAL // With the U.S. health system facing numerous problems, Microsoft's Connected Health Framework for Health Plans designed a service-oriented reference architecture with the aim of contributing decisively in reducing both the costs and the inherent complexity associated with health plans. Together with the Connected Health Framework, Microsoft is also delivering the Consumer Engagement Reference Architecture. Both the architecture and the design blueprint can be accessed and downloaded for free via the MSDN Health Plans Center.
"Continued IT heterogeneity, combined with healthcare payer market consolidation, has driven increased interest in service-oriented architecture (SOA) in 2007," said Janice Young, program director, Healthcare Payer Research, Health Industry Insights. "A service-oriented architecture strategy provides health plans with a more cost efficient and flexible solution to rationalize business processes across the legacy and heterogeneous platform environment. We believe SOA strategies will play a key role in personalizing and streamlining the external experience between payer, their customers and business partners."
Microsoft applauded the Connected Health Framework as a solution independent of platform and the original programming language. In the Redmond Company's View this will enable users to achieve superior business results. The Framework will essentially enable users to leverage the available IT infrastructure and resources with increased efficiency. Microsoft promises that this will ultimately translate into enhanced competitiveness. The SOA approach to health plans involves synchronizing IT resources with business needs, in order to provide coherent results.
"Health plan executives are under increasing pressure to improve member health and quality of care, while simultaneously controlling rising medical costs," said Dennis Schmuland, U.S. health plans industry solutions director at Microsoft. "The release of Microsoft's Connected Health Framework for Health Plans greatly helps support interoperability based on open standards, direct-to-consumer channels, the delivery of actionable insights within the context of the consumer's familiar digital lifestyle, and end-to-end collaboration with providers and partners."