E-prescribing in healthcare invigorates market for electronic data systems
E-prescribing, one of the capabilities of healthcare electronic data interchange (EDI) systems, enables doctors to immediately access a list of the medications the patient is already taking before prescribing a new drug. With the paper prescription process, the practitioner has to rely on bulky paper charts or the patient’s memory. Like faxed orders, e-prescriptions cannot be lost; however, they are faster because they are transmitted in real time and can be automatically archived in the office’s data base.
"[P]rescribing is the most common practice in medicine," said Kate Berry, senior VP of business development at Surescripts. She identifies e-prescribing as "one of the more mature and successful examples of health information technology." This technology will "benefit everyone who's touched by the medication management process," she adds.
Electronic prescribing represented 18% of all prescriptions written in 2009 for non-controlled substances, an impressive increase over the 6.6% figure for 2008. This 181% increase was spurred on by the 2% bonus given by the federal government beginning in 2008 to physicians who electronically prescribe for Medicare patients and by the incentive payments that will start in 2011 to physicians who invest in electronic health record (EHR) systems. E-prescribing will also help recipients prove that they make “meaningful use” of these computer systems.
Best-in-Class Healthcare EDI Systems Providers:
- Support all types of EDI standards, EDI versions and EDI transaction sets including the X12 and the EDIFACT standards and the X12 subsets: UCS, VICS, HIPAA
- Test EDI maps against data to identify errors or data that is in the wrong place
- Custom design EDI maps for each customer
Top Considerations Before Selecting Healthcare EDI Systems Provider:
Customers can be put off purchasing EDI systems because of the expense and time needed to implement and customize these systems, and to upgrade customer’s equipment and train employees. For smaller companies, web-based EDI solutions, which just require internet access, may be the answer. Since the method of integration determines the cost of implementation, healthcare providers and companies should begin their analysis by ascertaining what method is right for them.
Key Providers:
1. Daw Systems, Inc. says that its ScriptSure eRx (e-Prescribing software) "is designed with the goal of helping one to practice medicine easier, safer and more efficiently." ScriptSure eRx has a new user interface that is simple to use that can electronically send prescriptions securely to most pharmacies using the SureScripts-RxHub interfaces as well as output prescriptions to any printer. This software can be a stand-alone e-prescribing solution or can interface with a medical office’s Practice Management software. This privately-owned company also offers ScriptSure EMR (electronic medical record) which creates e-prescriptions, patient and chart notes, referrals, lab tests orders and consultant referrals. This private company is head-quartered in Ballston Lake NY.
2. AdvantEdge Healthcare Solutions’ (AHS) offers a fully supported Virtual Manager Billing Software. Features include daily backups, UPS power protection and network monitoring. The company reports that Virtual Manager provides “Efficient charge entry and posting, electronic claims submissions, electronic EOB posting, denial processing, automatic submission of secondary claims, A/R tracking and management, and comprehensive visibility to all exceptions.” AHS’s suite of training and support services including: initial setup and cutover training and advice; workflow based training modules: charge entry, EOB processing, A/R management and follow-up; and telephone support. This company, founded in 1999 and based in Warren, New Jersey, also offers revenue cycle management services to hospitals and office-based specialty physician practices.
3. Healthcare Management Systems, Inc. (HMS) develops and supports a wide range of solutions in the areas of Clinical, Enabling Technologies, Financial, Rehabilitation, Financial, Behavioral and Long Term Acute Care for integrated clinical and financial hospital information systems. This Nashville TN-based company says that "With the HMS system, caregivers are able to increase their efficiency in delivering quality care with an emphasis on improving patient safety." Its customer base includes over 600 community hospitals; behavioral, rehabilitation and long-term acute care facilities and multi-entity healthcare organizations around the US.
4. Gateway EDI reports that “Our technology improves your efficiency by automating key business functions.” Solutions include Claims Processing: unlimited primary and secondary, electronic and paper claims processing; Electronic Remittance Advice: receive, download and manage remits from multiple payers all in one place; Eligibility: check patient eligibility before care, receive eligibility information individually or in batch, provide centralized access for everyone in office; Patient Statements: print and mail statements; Payment Processing: a comprehensive payment processing solution and Reimbursement Manager: determines underpayments and inappropriate denials and automates the appeal process. Gateway is in St. Louis MO.
Healthcare EDI Systems
Definition: Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the structured transmission of electronic documents from one computer system to another using specified message standards and without human intervention.
