E-prescribing Initiative for Pennsylvania's Medicaid Program Should Improve Physician Compliance With State's Preferred Drug List

NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a leading provider of managed care market intelligence, reports that an e-prescribing project in Pennsylvania will help providers in the state's fee-for-service Medicaid program improve compliance with the state's preferred drug list. According to the recent Pennsylvania Health Plan Analysis, the project will give Medicaid providers access to a large database of patient benefit and formulary information to guide them in more accurately prescribing medications for approximately 800,000 residents on fee-for-service Medicaid in the state.

By early August the database will be available to physicians who already have e-prescribing software and by September, the state will add Web-based e-prescribing functionality to the provider payment system already available to all Medicaid providers. While participation in the program is optional, the state anticipates it will be widely used.

E-prescribing adoption for Medicaid programs is increasing as states look to improve accuracy and safety in prescribing habits and save money by ensuring drugs prescribed are the ones the state prefers.

"The passage of federal healthcare reform has heightened the need to reduce costs in the healthcare system through efficient technologies such as e-prescribing," said Chris Lewis, senior analyst with HealthLeaders-InterStudy. "Pennsylvania already is a leader in e-prescribing among states, and the addition of fee-for-service Medicaid patients should raise its profile even higher, while also fostering better compliance with medications on the state's preferred drug list."

Other topics highlighted in the recent Pennsylvania Health Plan Analysis include:

• Highmark Inc. has moved non-HMO products to a for-profit subsidiary so it can start medically underwriting small groups, enabling the insurer to better compete with for-profit insurers.
• Changes to the state's HealthChoices managed Medicaid program: Aetna Better Health and Coventry Cares join three incumbent plans to serve Medicaid members in Philadelphia, while UPMC For You and Aetna enter the Lehigh/Capital regions.
• A drop in Medicare Advantage enrollment in the Philadelphia region.
• Enactment of Pennsylvania's new dependent coverage law of adults up to age 30 is causing conflicting interpretations.

Why Pharmaceutical Company Managed Markets Teams Need Health Plan Analysis

Health Plan Analysis identifies key health plan trends, allowing pharmaceutical companies to create comprehensive strategic plans and sales strategies at state and local levels. Updated quarterly, Health Plan Analysis provides a detailed look at plan design and financials, as well as information about mergers, legislation and other influencers driving healthcare in a particular region.

About HealthLeaders-InterStudy

HealthLeaders-InterStudy, a Decision Resources, Inc. company, is the authoritative source for managed care data, analysis and news. For more information, please visit www.HL-ISY.com.

About Decision Resources, Inc.

Decision Resources, Inc. is a cohesive portfolio of companies that offers best-in-class, high-value information and insights on important sectors of the healthcare industry. Clients rely on this analysis and data to make informed decisions. Please visit Decision Resources, Inc. at www.DecisionResourcesInc.com.

All company, brand or product names contained in this document may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE HealthLeaders-InterStudy

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