Aetna contracts with Zix to provide free e-prescriptions in NJ

After running e-prescribing pilot programs since 2005 in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, it now seems that Aetna is ready to take the next step in at least one of those states. The health plan has signed a three-year contract with Zix, which will provide more than 1,000 small private-practice doctors in northern New Jersey with electronic prescribing devices and software free of charge. The deal will affect about 40,000 Aetna members.

The technology vendor, which describes itself as offering both hosted services for email encryption and e-prescribing, will give the practices an e-prescribing device offering them the ability to submit prescriptions to pharmacies. It also offers a wireless network that can be used to transmit the data, secure extraction and load patient data into the system, and a handheld PDA for physicians in addition to a standard desktop installation. Zix is also providing health plan formulary and drug interaction information.

This development comes in the wake of the Senate proposing incentives to encourage Medicare doctors to use e-prescription technology.

To learn more about Aetna's contract with Zix:
- read this iHealthBeat piece

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