ePrescribing Further Pushes eHealth

Medicare Part D Plan Changing the Horizon

Electronic communication continues to be pushed to the forefront by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  In early 2005, the HHS sought input into the development of a national health information network.  In April 2005 the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s (HIPAA) Security Rule became enforceable.

HHS is now pushing eHealth through the adoption of standards for electronic prescriptions or “ePrescribing” under the Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), requiring all participants of the Medicare Part D drug program to comply with the ePrescribing standards.

MMA is even requiring the Secretary of HHS to promulgate an anti-kickback statute safe harbor and an exception under the Stark legislation for certain non-monetary remuneration relating to ePrescribing information technology items and services!

The HHS also recently awarded four contracts for development of prototype national health information networks. The department expects the prototypes to be delivered  in the fall, then scaled up in 2007 ePrescribing standards are predicted to be the first program to impact our health care system dramatically.

National standards for ePrescribing are an important step in that process, and stakeholders in the ePrescribing process, including pharmacy benefit managers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and vendors, physicians, pharmacies and pharmacists, should monitor the MMA ePrescribing rules and related state legislation.

All Health Care providers should actively advocate for rules that will promote an efficient and effective eHealth infrastructure. Ready or not, eHealth is embraced by the government and is here to stay.