PHILADELPHIA & CHICAGO, Sep 30, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Allscripts (Nasdaq:MDRX), the leading provider of
clinical software, connectivity and information solutions that
physicians use to improve healthcare, today announced that
Independence Blue Cross has selected the Allscripts e-prescribing
solution, along with a second vendor, for a pilot program that will
bring clinical automation to more than 500 physicians.
Independence Blue Cross (IBC), Philadelphia’s largest health
insurer, is implementing this pilot to evaluate the potential of
e-Prescribing to improve the quality of patient care by decreasing
errors in prescription writing and increase the use of more
cost-effective drugs.
“e-Prescribing holds the promise of providing our physicians and
members with more efficient and effective patient care,” said Dr.
Steve Udvarhelyi, Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer for
IBC. “This technology will allow a physician to view real-time
information about a patient’s prescription history current medications
and drug benefits – helping make a better informed decision about the
best drug to prescribe for a patient and helping to reduce medication
errors. IBC is committed to providing our members access to quality,
affordable healthcare. e-Prescribing can help us meet that
commitment.”
Under the IBC pilot program, Allscripts will begin offering
e-Prescribing to 250 physicians within the IBC network. Participating
physicians will be able to write and electronically send prescriptions
directly to any pharmacy the patient chooses, using a laptop, desktop
or wireless PC device. As a web-based application, the Allscripts
solution will connect physicians treating patients covered by IBC into
a single, integrated network that includes patients, pharmacies and
payers.
“We commend Independence Blue Cross on taking the lead in
supporting and providing funding to physicians for the use of
technology to improve patient care. Electronic prescribing is a safer,
higher quality solution for patients and a more efficient solution for
physicians and pharmacies. In addition, e-Prescribing is the perfect
on-ramp to the Electronic Health Record, which is rapidly becoming a
standard of care,” said Glen Tullman, Chief Executive Officer of
Allscripts. “The addition of Independence Blue Cross reinforces the
traction Allscripts is gaining with health insurance providers across
the country.”
This announcement builds on Allscripts strength as the Electronic
Health Record provider for many of the leading medical groups and
physician practices in the Philadelphia market.
About Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross (IBC) is the leading health insurer in
Southeastern Pennsylvania. Nationwide, IBC and its affiliates provide
coverage to nearly 3.5 million people. This month, Independence Blue
Cross’s Personal Choice was rated the No. 1 PPO in the nation and its
Keystone HMO was ranked as the No. 1 HMO in the region by health care
consumers in a leading independent consumer magazine.
For more than 65 years, Independence Blue Cross has offered
quality health care products and services tailored to meet the
changing needs of members, employers, groups and providers. For more
Information on Independence Blue Cross, visit IBC’s website at
www.ibx.com.
About Allscripts
Allscripts is the leading provider of clinical software,
connectivity and information solutions that physicians use to improve
healthcare. The Company provides unique solutions that inform,
connect, and transform healthcare. The Clinical Solutions Group’s
award-winning clinical software applications include Electronic Health
Record, e-prescribing and document imaging solutions. Allscripts’
Physicians Interactive Group provides clinical product education and
connectivity solutions for physicians and patients. The Company’s
Medication Services Group provides medication fulfillment services. To
learn more, 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.
SOURCE: Allscripts
Allscripts Dan Michelson, 312-506-1217 dan.michelson@allscripts.com or Independence Blue Cross Liz Williams, 215-241-2220 liz.williams@ibx.com