NEWARK, N.J. & CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 9, 2005–
Largest Insurer in State of New Jersey Encourages Physician Adoption
of Electronic Prescribing
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Nasdaq:MDRX), the leading
provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions
that physicians use to improve healthcare today announced a
relationship with Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc., the state’s
largest health insurer. This relationship is the beginning of a unique
initiative to encourage more physicians to use electronic prescribing
and take the first steps to full clinical automation.
During the next two years, Allscripts will target hundreds of
physicians within the Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc. (Horizon)
network to offer the Allscripts’ award-winning TouchScript(TM)
e-prescribing solution. Horizon, as part of its Horizon Health Connect
$5 million technology initiative, will provide selected physicians
with Allscripts software, wireless network components from Cisco
Systems, handheld Pocket PC devices from Hewlett Packard and
high-speed Internet connections, all at no cost. Based on the results
of this initiative, Horizon expects additional physicians to implement
TouchScript and, in some cases, implement the entire TouchChart(TM)
Electronic Health Record.
Horizon physicians will be able to quickly create and send
prescriptions from the exam room directly to the patient’s pharmacy
using a laptop, desktop computer or wireless Pocket PC or Table PC
device. The goal is to increase patient safety, reduce errors, limit
the need for time consuming pharmacy callbacks to physicians and
improve office efficiency.
“Horizon is committed to finding commonsense ways to make it
easier for our network physicians to provide quality care to our
members,” said Dr. Richard Popiel, Vice President and Chief Medical
Officer of Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc. “Allscripts provides an
e-prescribing solution that will enable our physicians to have access
to their patients medical history at the point of care in order to
reduce prescription errors and provide an overall safer experience for
members.”
TouchScript will connect Horizon physicians to a single,
integrated network that includes patients, pharmacies and payers,
providing a more seamless and efficient patient experience.
“Electronic prescribing is not only safer than traditional pen and
pad prescribing, but it also reduces the hassle factor associated with
phone calls from pharmacies to physicians,” said Glen Tullman, Chief
Executive Officer of Allscripts. “This results in more cost effective
healthcare with lower co-pays for patients. It also provides an
on-ramp for physicians to fully automate their practices.”
Physicians and their staff will be able to access TouchScript from
any personal computer, giving them secure access to patient medication
history and the ability to generate prescriptions anytime and
anywhere.
About Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc.
Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc., with headquarters in Newark, is
New Jersey’s largest health insurer providing coverage to more than
3.1 million people. Visit Horizon on the web at www.horizon.us.
About Allscripts
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions (Allscripts) is the leading
provider of clinical software, connectivity and information solutions
that physicians use to improve healthcare. The Company’s business
groups provide unique solutions that inform, connect, and transform
healthcare. The Clinical Solutions Group’s award-winning clinical
software applications include Electronic Health Record (EHR),
e-prescribing and document imaging solutions. Additionally, Allscripts
provides clinical product education and connectivity solutions for
physicians and patients through its Physicians Interactive(TM) Group
and medication fulfillment services through its Medication Services
Group. Visit Allscripts on the Web at www.allscripts.com.
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements about
Allscripts Healthcare Solutions that involve risks and uncertainties.
These statements are developed by combining currently available
information with Allscripts beliefs and assumptions. Forward-looking
statements do not guarantee future performance. Because Allscripts
cannot predict all of the risks and uncertainties that may affect it,
or control the ones it does predict, Allscripts’ actual results may be
materially different from the results expressed in its forward-looking
statements. For a more complete discussion of the risks, uncertainties
and assumptions that may affect Allscripts, see the Company’s 2004
Annual Report on Form 10-K, available through the Web site maintained
by the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.
CONTACT: Allscripts Dan Michelson, 312-506-1217 dan.michelson@allscripts.com or Horizon Healthcare Services, Inc. Thomas Rubino, 973-466-8755 SOURCE: Allscripts