Microsoft and Humana Ink Deal That Will Super Charge the Health Plan’s Data-Driven Care

Humana and Redmond-based Microsoft Corp. have formed a partnership that will apply the tech companys cloud computing, artificial intelligence and collaboration platform technologies to provide Humana care providers with the ability to deliver personalized and predictive health care services to its members.

The seven-year deal is a glimpse into the future of data-driven health care services and will begin with Microsoft modernizing Humanas tech platforms and aggregating its data on Microsofts Azure cloud. Humana also will also expand collaborative tools and boost the productivity of its nearly 42,000 employees through its Microsoft 365 platform, which will allow health care providers to share data and coordinate patient care through a secure hub.

“The technologies to empower our members to get ahead of their health issues and equip doctors with information exist today, says Heather Cox, chief of digital health and analytics at Humana.

In addition, Humana also will be able to employ Microsofts cloud and AI technologies to deploy on-demand and virtual medical services, according to Humana. The technology also will allow Humana to advance home-health care solutions by employing voice technologies that can improve care-givers productivity while also breaking down barriers to delivering health care.

The next step for medical records is to go beyond the collection of information to the delivery of insights, says Dr. William Shrank, M.D., chief medical and corporate affairs officer at Humana. Microsoft technologies offer Humana the ability to apply sophisticated analytics to our members’ records and, in turn, provide clinicians and care teams with the opportunities to make a difference in patients’ health.