The alliance claims that a system of unique identifiers would make medical information much more complete, accurate, private and secure. The organization says an identifier’s single-use status, protected in a closed loop among participating providers and patients, reveals nothing about the person and therefore has no “street value.”

Alliance officials point out that such a system stands in stark contrast to the existing “process-of-elimination” formula, which becomes more accurate as more types of information about a person are added but simultaneously increases the risk of identity theft.

“We believe it is in the best interests of consumers to be able to collect, track and manage their personal information,” said Michael Kappel, senior vice president, government strategy and relations for McKesson Provider Technologies, and chairman of the alliance’s Policy Committee. “Unique identifiers can help make this effort more comprehensive and reliable while allowing people to decide who else has access to their health records without worrying about incomplete information or identification mix-ups.”

As part of the consensus-building process, the alliance is soliciting input and comments on unique patient identifiers on its Web site.