The Mississippi Division of Medicaid and Shared Health have launched an electronic health record and electronic prescribing system for more than one half million Medicaid beneficiaries.

Shared Health is one of the largest public/private health information exchanges (HIE) in the country with the records of nearly four million patients. The rollout of an electronic medical record and e-prescribing further advances Shared Health's growth strategy, officials say.

Under the contract announced last August, Shared Health is working with the Mississippi Division of Medicaid to connect the Medicaid beneficiaries' medical information across each patient's network of clinical providers using Shared Health products and services.

Through the use of secure health information technology solutions at the point of care, Shared Health's goal is to help the Mississippi Division of Medicaid focus on reducing healthcare costs and promoting better patient care.

While cost savings are important in this economic environment, so are healthier outcomes and support of those most in need, said Robert L. Robinson, executive director of the Mississippi Division of Medicaid. Medicaid members in Mississippi will benefit extensively from the improved outcomes provided by integrated, evidence-based technology, he said.

"With the cost savings resulting from implementing an EHR/eScript system in Mississippi, we will be able to provide better service and care for the underserved population in our state," Robinson added.
 
Shared Health brings its key technology partners to the Mississippi solution. As part of the four-year contract, Shared Health will offer Mississippi Medicaid healthcare providers with a secure web-based EHR; an e-prescribing system; and access to hospital discharge information. Shared Health will also provide clinical outreach services in support of EHR adoption by Medicaid physicians statewide.

Shared Health's network – which includes a total of 4,200 physicians and nearly four million patient records – aims to register about 1,000 physicians in Mississippi for what it bills as "a leading-edge, cost effective technology solution."

"This world-class solution provides clinicians and patients tools for managing and improving care – allowing them to make better medical decisions at the point of care through relevant clinical information, including lab results, medications, immunizations, and allergies,' said Kim Wagner, chief information officer of Shared Health.

When combined with access to medical claims information and patient demographics, costs are reduced because sharing data eliminates duplicative services, she said. At the same time, patient safety and treatment outcomes are improved.

"As an innovator in the healthcare information industry, Shared Health partners with physicians and nurses to transform patient care, establishing a successful track record for outreach, access and outcomes," Wagner said.
Through the partnership, the State of Mississippi Division of Medicaid will also be able to store records electronically in a secure location, allowing access to those records even in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.