EMR Blues
I thought it progressive of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts to give out $50 million in grants a few years ago to medical practices to adopt EMRs. So it was interesting to see BCBSMA suggest that the financial ROI wasn’t worth the cost to doctors in medical practices.
Citing studies including an AMA report saying docs get only 11 cents of every dollar saved through the use of an EMR, BCBSMA decided not to require physicians to install an EMR to participate in its bonus program. They still however offer financial incentives to medical groups to adopt EMRs.
BCBSMA’s own cost-benefit analysis showed that CPOE made financial sense in the hospital setting. So they will require health systems to install CPOE by 2012 to participate in the bonus program.
BCBSMA estimates it would take five to six years for an EMR to recoup its cost in an office-based practice. AMA policy supports EMRs but does not support requiring physicians to purchase them.
While I think the financial ROI aspect of EMRs is important, especially if you’re the doc paying for the system, there are other quality, safety and pay-for-performance benefits that should be considered. Understandably however, the small and medium sized medical practice has a tough time swallowing the cost of the typical EMR.
Posted by Shawn Whalen on March 10, 2008 at 10:17 AM
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