The health insurance company Aetna has paired up with Healthline Networks to bring its customers Aetna SmartSource, an online search tool that connects members to health information and Aetna programs and resources specific to their needs.

The search engine takes into account specific information about each user’s gender, age, zip code, health care plan and employer, as well as information stored in their personal health record. The result is an integration of a member’s health profile with online tools and information, which provides a single place to get personalized information on health, health care costs, and health care providers.

“Healthline is excited to be a part of this pioneering effort to integrate Aetna’s vast health information resources and deliver them in an intelligent, personalized decision support platform for consumers,” said West Shell III, chairman & CEO of Healthline Networks. “Aetna SmartSource is a ground-breaking application because it can use information stored in a personal health record and health plan to qualify the information the member is looking for, thereby ensuring more relevant and useful results for members.”

Aetna will test SmartSource online search tool with several large, pre-selected customers throughout 2008. Aetna’s 35,000 employees are currently testing the application.

Source: Aetna Inc