DHHS pushes to expand e-prescribing: Accessing formularies in health plans is a major problem

摘要

Pharmacy groups are already jostling over requirements for Stage 3 of the electronic health records (EHRs) meaningful-use (MU) program. The standards do not go into effect until 2016. This past November, however, the Health Information Technology Policy Committee (HITPC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) published a detailed list of potential Stage 3 (MU3) upgrades (from Stage 2). The possibilities include major challenges in compliance for hospitals and pharmacies, including in areas not covered by Stage 2 (MU2), such as formulary checks (i.e., selecting drugs according to the patient's health plan). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will decide how many of the HITPC's final recommendations to include in a proposed rule. Stage 2 goes into effect on January 1, 2014.