Health I.T.
Too often, consumers and providers do not have the information and tools they need to make informed decisions about quality and cost when it comes to healthcare.
Broad adoption of health information technology is key to achieving this goal. BCBSA is strongly committed to the widespread adoption of interoperable health information systems based on standards that support the exchange of information among providers, payers, government, and consumers.
BCBSA urges Congress and the Administration to:
- Advance adoption of health IT by establishing interoperable standards through a public-private collaborative process; harmonizing state and federal privacy and health IT laws; and providing federal grants to providers and regional heath information exchanges.
- Assure widespread use of electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) in Medicare which can improve healthcare quality, safety and create efficiencies.
BCBSA also strongly supports the adoption of electronic health records (EHRs) in every doctor office and personal health records (PHRs) for all patients. Blue Plans are diligently working towards meeting these goals by:
- Promoting interoperability through state health information exchanges to enable information to be securely available wherever a patient is being treated;
- Empowering consumers by giving them improved access to their medical information through PHRs; and
- Helping providers adopt health IT and improve information at the point-of-care by giving them access to EHRs and e-prescribing tools.
BCBSA Policy and Positions
Blue Plans’ Policies to Advance Health IT
Coalition Letter in Support of Medicare Electronic Medication and Safety
Protection Act of 2007
BCBSA Policy Paper on Medicare e-prescribing
Other Resources
Center for Health Transformation Report on e-prescribing
Coalitions
- Industry Recognizes The Regence Health Engine For Excellence In Creativity, Innovation And Information
- Obama administration makes grants for health IT
- Electronic medical records draw frequent criticisms
- Work begins on national e-health record network
- Study urges action to get patients to follow prescriptions