Highmark to Aid Docs to Adopt I.T.

HDM Breaking News, June 6, 2008

Highmark Inc., a Pittsburgh-based Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, is moving forward with long-delayed plans to provide grants totaling $29 million to assist physicians in adopting electronic health records and electronic prescribing software.

After it announced plans for the grants in November 2005, the insurer attempted to dole them out through a foundation. But Highmark has yet to receive a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service on the foundation’s tax-exempt status, so it’s now going to award the grants directly instead.

In 2005, the plan estimated the funds could assist 4,000 to 6,000 of the 13,000 physicians in its network.

Grant applications have been received during the past 2.5 years, and the application process now is closed. Highmark will pay up to 75% of the cost for a physician office to purchase and implement the technology, up to $7,000 per physician.

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