Cost and docs barriers to e-prescribing

Cost and docs barriers to e-prescribing

The cost of training providers and physicians who are reluctant to give up their old ways continue to be major obstacles to the adoption of e-prescribing. Andrew Morgan, an insurance specialist at CMS' Office of E-Health Standards & Services (OESS), said that some doctors don't want to spend a lot of time being trained. "It takes a lot of hand-holding and a couple of weeks of on-site support to get them to consistently e-prescribe," he said, adding that many doctors are reluctant to spend the money only to have the technology become obsolete because they are looking to move to a fully integrated electronic medical records system that's interoperable." Denise Buenning, senior adviser to OESS, said the training issue is the key because physicians are on the go. "They are a moving target. The maximum time you're able to spend with them is about half an hour to an hour to just give them the basics." However, as e-prescribing standards become more developed and Medicare Part D plans come on board, Buenning expects to see many of the current barriers to e-prescribing fall by the wayside.

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