Maryland BCBS plan invests $1.5M in EMRs

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield has invested upwards of $1.5 million in two pilot EMR initiatives, with plans to create a statewide HIE if the tests prove successful. The move follows a recent announcement by the plan that it would offer financial rewards to physicians who install EMRs.

CareFirst will spend $967,000 to establish an EMR for Community Health Integrated Partnership, a Glen Burnie, MD-based network of seven community health centers. The health plan will also contribute $550,000 to Baltimore-area health system LifeBridge Health to help it set up EMRs for its hospitals and nursing homes. If CareFirst decides to roll out a statewide HIE next, it will have the support of Maryland officials. The state's Health Services Cost Review Commission, which sets hospital rates for the state, is willing to offer as much as $10 million to kick-start a statewide HIE.

To learn more about CareFirst's plans:
- read this Maryland Daily Record piece

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