Researchers from the University of Michigan recently released a report requesting public health insurance options to improve electronic data sharing for records and immunizations.

The report, which was released in the latest issue of the "American Journal of Preventative Medicine," called for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to explore new ways to make the electronic record aspect better. Doing this could help prevent doctors taking too much time using a different immunization database when they could be looking at one item that covers everything. In addition, it could cut down on unnecessary immunizations and streamline the process, overall.

"This broad electronic health record adoption across the country is falling short of its potential to ensure that health care providers have a complete immunization history for every child, including vaccines given at other locations," says Dr. Kevin Dombkowski, research professor associate professor at the University of Michigan and co-author of the report.

Consumers who are using a government-funded health insurance plan such as Medicare or Medicaid, but are not happy with it, may want to try a private option. There may be an affordable alternative by comparing health insurance rates.