Apple is continuing its push into the healthcare space, this time with a deal with Epic Systems to provide a Mac-friendly version of its health records app. According to Axios, the deal will allow Epic Systems to create a health record tool that is “easier to run on Apple devices.
Epic Systems is the largest provider of electronic health records in the United States, with “about half of the population’s medical records” stored in systems powered by Epic’s software and technology.
Apple had reportedly asked Epic to create a “native version of the service” for Apple devices, but the two companies compromised by creating a version that would be “easier to run on Apple devices. Apple has not acknowledged the deal, but Axios says it has been confirmed by “Epic insiders.
Axios explained that the deal happened despite Epic and Apple’s previous differences over health records and data sharing. Epic argued that rule changes focused on “interoperability” would “overburden our health system and put patient privacy at risk.
Given the pace of development in the healthcare industry, especially around medical records technology, it may be a while before we see the fruits of this new deal. Ultimately, it will be beneficial to the industry and consumers, especially if it improves data integration with other Apple platforms and services.
