The US government is encouraging medical providers to adopt medical practice software that includes the ability to process e-prescriptions. In 2009, providers who do so will receive an additional 2% reimbursement for Medicare patients when e-prescribing is used. If your office doesn't have many Medicare patients, is e-prescribing a good idea? Yes, for several reasons.

Private Insurers Follow Medicare

It is common for private insurance companies to mirror Medicare policies. They observe the industry to see what effects these new policies have and if the outcome is positive, private companies follow suit. Analysts predict that private insurers will offer a similar incentive for offices that use e-prescription medical practice software.

Why? Electronic prescriptions are easier to process. Claims can be read in, processed, and paid without human intervention. This saves insurers money and with the rising traffic in prescriptions as baby boomers age -- and this savings can amount to significant cost cutting. The 2% Medicare reimbursement is a fraction of what Medicare will save as providers convert over to modern medical practice software. When insurers see this, they will take the same path and speed up industry conversion that much more.

Reduce Costs and Liability

Even in the absence of direct incentives, providers are discovering that using medical practice software and e-prescriptions saves them money from day one. The streamlined electronic system means less time required from doctor and staff. For example, office staff answers fewer phone calls from the pharmacy requesting clarification.

Patient safety is improved, as there is significantly less chance of the pharmacy misreading an e-prescription than a handwritten one. Central databases ensure pharmacies and doctors have a full profile of a patient's medication use, reducing the chance of overmedication or adverse drug interactions. This reduces practice liability and business costs.

Pharmacies save money when providers use this type of medical practice software. The automated system allows them to fill the order more quickly, often before the patient arrives from the doctor's office.

Medical Practice Software Doesn't Have To Be Expensive

CCHIT-certified medical practice software costs more than non-certified systems, but many practices don't need the certification. There are a number of inexpensive or even free medical software packages, although typically the e-prescription component requires a monthly fee.

Even considering the fee, practices can expect to save money each month through improved office efficiency, reduced liability and the Medicare incentive. Physicians and office managers have discovered that converting to electronic medical records is a positive investment in the business. It makes the practice more competitive in the market and allows them to provide better care to the patients.

E-prescriptions are going to be a fact of life for medical practices in the not too distant future. Offices would be well advised to adopt medical practice software now and get ahead of the curve.