ROCHESTER, NY., JANUARY 24, 2005
Medical Practitioners will have Detailed Prescription Information at the Tips of their Fingers Thanks to Epocrates and Excellus BCBS
More than 3,000 physicians in Rochester Individual Practice Association (RIPA) now have access to detailed drug reference information and lists of drugs covered by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) through the industry-leading Epocrates mobile drug reference designed for the Palm OS and Pocket PC mobile platforms and through the Epocrates Rx Online reference available for Internet-connected desktop computers.
Within the Epocrates drug reference, providers can easily check formulary status, prior authorization requirements, alternatives, generic substitutes and quantity limits. The drug reference also includes over 3,500 drug monographs along with indications, a built-in dosing calculator, contraindications, drug interactions, adverse reactions, cost information, and the MultiCheck function capable of checking up to 30 drugs simultaneously for interactions.
With Epocrates, providers have a single source of information that previously had to be accessed through multiple sources.
“Excellus BCBS wants our providers to have access to the best, most up-to-date pharmacy information right there in the exam room with the patient,” said Joel Owerbach, PharmD. Excellus BCBS chief pharmacy officer. “Epocrates will enable practitioners to check our covered drug listings, look for drug interactions and double-check dosage information on the spot.”
"Managing patient medications is increasingly complicated," said RIPA Medical Director Howard Beckman, MD. “ When physicians prescribe medications for their patients they have to be concerned about several factors such as which drugs are most appropriate, drug interactions and coverage from the patient's insurance plan. Tools like Epocrates make that much easier."
This venture with Epocrates offers many benefits for physicians and other health care providers who own mobile devices and PCs, including the ability to:
- Download the Excellus BCBS drug lists
- View generic or lower-cost brand options
- Highlight medications that qualify for Excellus BCBS cost-saving programs such as our voluntary Half Tablet Incentive Program or Generic Trial program
- Access drugs by name or class
- Access detailed drug information, including dosages, precautions, interactions and possible adverse reactions
- Identify medications that require prior authorization or step therapy and the necessary criteria
“This is the latest achievement in a long-standing partnership between Excellus BCBS and RIPA,” said Owerbach. “In 2000 we launched the successful mobile computing device program enabling physicians access to drug information via Palm PDAs. More than 2,000 health care practitioners in Rochester have already downloaded an Epocrates mobile reference.”
The Epocrates Rx drug reference is Epocrates’ basic software and is available at no charge to users of a PocketPC or Palm mobile device. The Epocrates Rx Pro and Rx Online drug references are available for a low-cost annual subscription and include additional references such as an alternative medicine guide covering over 400 herbals; the Epocrates ID infectious disease treatment guide; and built-in dosing and medical calculators. For more information or to obtain any of these products, visit www.epocrates.com. Excellus BCBS providers are eligible for a 20 percent discount on all products through March 31, 2005.
About Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit independent licensee of the BlueCross
BlueShield Association, is part of a family of companies that finances and delivers
vital health care services to nearly 2 million people across upstate New York
and also offers long-term coverage nationwide. Excellus BlueCross BlueShield
provides access to high-quality, affordable health coverage – particularly
for the uninsured, underinsured and aged. We also offer valuable health-related
resources that our members use every day, such as cost-saving prescription drug
discounts and Member rewards programs. To learn more, visit www.excellusbcbs.com.
CONTACT: Laurie Robb Excellus BlueCross BlueShield PHONE: (585) 238-4374 WEB: www.excellusbcbs.com Erica Sniad Morgenstern Epocrates Public Relations PHONE: (650) 227-6907 E-MAIL: pr@epocrates.com WEB: www.epocrates.com