US health insurers plan on-line ventures

NEW YORK - Six of the largest health insurers are developing theirown online project to make it easier to enrol in health plans. Themove is aimed at blocking Internet-only health care companies fromwinning the battle for cyberspace, the New York Times said yesterday.The initiative, tentatively called MedUnite, will help patientschoose doctors and hospitals, replacing paperwork and telephonecalls. The companies expect to announce the project within 60 days.MedUnite will pit the insurers against Healtheon/WebMD Corp.