OAKLAND, CA – Medicare beneficiaries are using the Internet to help manage their health, according to a Kaiser Permanente survey.

The California-based healthcare organization surveyed 4,560 seniors about their comfort in using computers, Internet use habits and health status, including chronic conditions and prescriptions. The survey revealed that more than 87 percent of Medicare beneficiaries registered to use Kaiser Permanente's My Health Manager personal health record are satisfied or very satisfied with the technology.

"The extraordinarily high satisfaction rate of the survey respondents – all 65 and older – reinforces what we are learning among the general population:  When a PHR like My Health Manager is thoughtfully designed for an easy and convenient user experience, individuals will engage more fully in managing their own health," said Jan Oldenburg, senior practice leader of the Internet services group health portfolio at Kaiser Permanente.

"The biggest surprise from the survey was discovering that the typical Kaiser Permanente Medicare beneficiary who is registered to use My Health Manager is very comfortable with computers, using the Internet daily and reviewing their medical record online a few times each month," Oldenburg said.

According to the survey, respondents enjoyed using My Health Manager to make appointments, e-mail one's doctor and review test results, but they were most happy with the prescription refill feature. The survey also showed that most respondents reported being in good or better health (70 percent), and that members who reported being in excellent health are significantly more engaged in their healthcare than those who said they are in poor health.

"As people age, they become less mobile," said Oldenburg. "My Health Manager increases a patient's access to caregivers and health information from their own home. Having these capabilities online helps meet the healthcare needs of older adults."