These tools will enable people to quickly check whether their health insurance is accepted at a certain hospital. They no longer need to dig through the hospital’s official website for that information. Additionally, Google Search will also specify what languages are spoken at a healthcare center. The company says it currently represents over a dozen languages. These include Spanish and American Sign Language. You can expect to see more languages in the future. Because, as Google notes, “in addition to finding a doctor who takes their insurance, people want to be able to communicate clearly in their language of choice.” According to Google, three out of every four Americans search for health information on the internet before heading out to see a doctor. That’s because the US healthcare system is “quite challenging”. The company believes tools like this will “help people make more informed choices about their health,” and quickly so.
Google expands its health information features with new search tools
Like other businesses, Google also lets healthcare providers claim a Google Business Profile. They can add information about appointment scheduling, virtual care, available health services, engagement with patients, and diagnostics and procedures. That’s on top of the generic information such as working hours, phone numbers, official website, reviews, business summary, and photos. Since these profiles appear publicly on both Search and Maps, people can quickly decide which nearby provider they should visit. Now, by adding information about insurance networks and languages, Google is making it more convenient to make informed decisions. After all, the more information we get upfront, the less we have to dig around. Google says it is regularly conducting checks to ensure that all this information is up to date. It also promises to add more new features and tools that will enable doctors to better communicate about the services they offer. “We continue to explore ways to connect people around the world to relevant and actionable information to better manage their health,” the company said.
