Pros: ZenVault is a personal health record application that maintains information safely in an online encrypted account. The accompanying mobile app allows users to access and edit records via iPod touch, iPhone, or iPad with wi-fi access.

Cons: The Premium plan is regularly $14.95 per month, which is much too high for this type of plan. A limited time offer for $2.95 per month is in effect, however it is unclear how long this monthly cost will be in place once a user has committed to the service. Users must remember both a password and encryption key. Users must purchase the premium version to receive SSL encryption for their data. Microsoft Word, Excel, or other formats are not supported and must be converted to .TXT or .PDF for upload (premium plan only).

The Bottomline: The free version of ZenVault offers a very good basic PHR program. The two main drawbacks are the unclear terms for the duration of special monthly pricing; the exorbitant regular monthly pricing; and the SSL encryption only being applied to paid accounts.

Editor’s Rating:

Reviewed on January 27, 2011

Summary:
ZenVault is a PHR designed to store personal and emergency medical information online. It has an accompanying app in the iTunes store for users to access the web-based PHR on the go.

Features:
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Free Plan
The free basic membership to ZenVault includes a health summary for recording doctors, medications, conditions, healthcare providers, and more. A feature for emergency medical service access to ZenVault is in the planning stages. Data is encrypted with a patented protocol. SSL encryption is provided for data in transit during upload.

Premium Plan
The paid plan indicates a current special pricing option but does not indicate how long the special price will remain in effect after committing to membership. This plan adds a higher level of encryption for user data. The Premium Plan also includes support for .PDF, .JPG, .TXT and other file formats. There are facilities for storing medical contact information, securing messaging of information to and from the account, and the ability for doctors to send records to the user’s ZenVault account.

Always Available™ Technology
This patented technology protects against system downtimes related to natural disasters, equipment failure, or human error. It basically maintains servers in multiple locations so that service is uninterrupted by any problems.

Easy, Intuitive Interface
Each section of the ZenVault PHR is menu driven so that users can enter data in an organized, comprehensive way. Sections for identification, contacts, pharmacy, insurance, legal information, medical history, medications, immunizations, allergies, appointments, hospitalizations and surgeries, labs and tests, devices, and lifestyle information – including exercise, alcohol, and tobacco use.