Hawai'i residents will be able to access healthcare services through a new online system beginning early next year, HMSA announced yesterday.

The system will give customers the ability to talk to local healthcare providers who particpate in HMSA's provider network, via the Web, phone or e-mail. Services will be available 24 hours a day.

The services are made possible through a collaborative effort by HMSA, Microsoft Corp. and American Well Inc.

Customers will be able to use their health information to receive online consultations through two systems, from Microsoft and American Well.

Microsoft's HealthVault program, which enables consumers to monitor personal health information and share it with physicians and other third parties, will also be available to residents.

Online Healthcare Marketplace, an interactive medium by American Well, will allow patients and healthcare providers to communicate live. Other features include enabling physicians to view patient information and prescribing medication.

Physician support and participation are essential for this project to be a success, HMSA said in a press release.

A recent study by TNS Global showed that 45 percent of Hawai'i physicians are likely to participate in the system because of convenience and to improve patient care, HMSA said.

Further details will be announced closer to the launch date, HMSA said.