HealthRamp Becomes Certified Vendor in Southeast Michigan Electronic Prescribing Initiative

Strategic Insights -

HealthRamp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ramp Corporation, has achieved certified vendor status in the Southeast Michigan Electronic Prescribing Initiative (SEMI), a collaborative effort among major automakers, insurance companies, and pharmacy benefits managers to promote electronic prescribing. HealthRamp's CarePoint solution allows healthcare professionals to easily place orders for drugs and refill prescriptions while interfacing with their practice management system. The initiative aims to improve quality of care by empowering physicians with point-of-care technologies. Approximately 6,500 physicians qualify for the first phase of SEMI, with plans to reach 17,000 physicians in the multi-phase initiative.

Key Takeaways:

  • HealthRamp, a subsidiary of Ramp Corporation, has become a certified vendor in the Southeast Michigan Electronic Prescribing Initiative (SEMI).
  • SEMI is a collaborative effort among the Big Three automakers (General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., and DaimlerChrysler Corp.), major insurance companies, and pharmacy benefits manager Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
  • HealthRamp's CarePoint solution enables electronic prescribing, lab orders, and results, as well as internet-based communication and data integration at the point-of-care.
  • The initiative aims to improve quality of care by empowering physicians with point-of-care technologies.
  • General Motors estimates that approximately one person covered by GM dies daily due to medical errors, and spends around $2 billion per year on prescription drugs.
  • Physicians who participate in SEMI receive a monetary incentive, with approximately 6,500 qualifying for the first phase and plans to reach 17,000 physicians in the multi-phase initiative.
  • SEMI involves large health plans such as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Henry Ford Health Systems, and Health Alliance Plan.
  • Ramp Corporation's CEO and president, Andrew Brown, stated that they believe SEMI will drive adoption of point-of-care technologies and viewpoints on malpractice insurance premiums.

Statistics:

  • 6,500 physicians qualify for the first phase of SEMI.
  • Plans to qualify a total of 17,000 physicians over the course of the multi-phase initiative.
  • General Motors spends around $2 billion per year on prescription drugs.
  • One person covered by GM dies daily due to medical errors.

Sources:

  • NewsRx.com: Health & Medicine Week
  • HealthRamp: Ramp Corporation
  • General Motors Corp.
  • Ford Motor Co.
  • DaimlerChrysler Corp.
  • Medco Health Solutions, Inc.