NC Blue plan paying MDs for e-prescribing

In a move that (we predict) is likely to become more common, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina has started offering cash bonuses to physicians who adopt e-prescribing technology. The health plan will pay a one-time $1,000 incentive to physicians meeting its criteria. These include registering with a certified e-prescribing vendor and accessing med histories for at least 20 patients during Q4 2008. It will also give pharmacies $1,000 if they adopt e-prescribing technology for the first time by the end of 2008. Cash incentives will be paid out in Q1 2009.

Along with cash payouts, the Blue plan is working to foster e-prescribing adoption by partnering with Community Care of North Carolina and its 14 regional health networks. Working with the state's Medicaid administrator, Community Care will offer varied forms of assistance to help its doctors adopt e-prescribing. The effort could bring 3,500 physicians into the e-prescribing fold.

To learn more about this initiative:
- read this iHealthBeat piece

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