INScompanies Blog

(NEWARK, NJ – November 13, 2006) – The Institute of Medicine has reported that prescription medication mistakes injure more than 1.5 million Americans every year.  The Institute strongly recommended one way to reduce the number of prescription errors would be to have all prescriptions written electronically by 2010.

In response, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, the state’s largest insurer, and Atlantic Health, one of the leading healthcare systems in the state, announced they have teamed up to promote greater use of electronic prescribing.  Horizon BCBSNJ will provide a two-year software license for Allscripts’ award-winning TouchWorks RX+™ e-prescribing software.  Additionally, Horizon BCBSNJ, if needed, will provide wireless network service, handheld Hewlett Packard Pocket PC devices, and high-speed Internet connection.

“Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is committed to increasing safety for our members and one way we are doing so is by increasing the use of electronic prescribing,” said Dr. Richard Popiel, vice president and chief medical officer for Horizon BCBSNJ.  “We appreciate Atlantic Health’s commitment to quality care for their patients and their decision to work with us to expand the use of electronic prescribing in their facilities.”

Atlantic Health physicians will be able to quickly create and send prescriptions from the exam room directly to the patient’s pharmacy using a laptop, desktop computer or wireless Pocket PC or Table PC device.  Electronic prescribing offers physicians the ability to reduce medical errors by providing drug information at the point of care. Allscripts software automatically checks for drug allergies, drug interactions, and safe dosing ranges. The goal is to increase patient safety, reduce errors, limit the need for time-consuming pharmacy callbacks to physicians, and improve office efficiency. 

“This E-prescribing initiative is another part of Atlantic Health’s ongoing clinical computing program,” said Linda Reed, vice president, information services/chief information officer. “Partnering with Horizon on e-prescribing is one way to automate patient care collaboration while improving safety, effectiveness and efficiency in medication management for our patients.”

Atlantic Health physicians and their staff will be able to access TouchWorks from any personal computer.  This will allow physicians to have secure access to their patients’ prescription medication history and also the ability to generate prescriptions anytime and anywhere.

“Patients are beginning to demand that their physicians use electronic prescribing, as study after study indicates the technology is far safer than a pen and pad prescribing,” said Glen Tullman, chief executive officer of Allscripts.  “Physicians who want to stay ahead of the curve and build an easy on-ramp to a full Electronic Health Record can now take advantage of our joint offering with Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Atlantic Health.”

CONTACT:  Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Thomas Rubino, 973-466-8755
Thomas_Rubino@HorizonBlue.com

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey Launches Health Center Initiative to Improve Access to Health Care for Uninsured and Underinsured in New Jersey

(Newark, NJ – September 12, 2006) - The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey today announced a new grant initiative designed to provide greater access to health care for thousands of uninsured and underinsured individuals throughout New Jersey.  The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey Health Center Initiative is a $5 million, five-year grant program aimed at providing needed resources to the Federally Qualified Health Centers and independent health centers throughout the state of New Jersey.

“The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is committed to providing resources to improve access to health care and make a positive impact in the lives of people throughout New Jersey,” said William J. Marino, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. “Our Health Center initiative is the Foundation’s largest grant to date and will provide needed resources for health centers that provide care for the more than 1.2 million individuals who are uninsured in New Jersey.”

Grants will range from $25,000 to $100,000 annually with the maximum award to an individual center of $500,000 over five years.  Grant funds may be used for one or a variety of uses such as staff development or new staff positions, mental health and substance abuse services, purchase of office equipment or medical equipment (i.e., computers, x-ray machines), renovations (i.e., construction of an additional examining room), marketing and promotional outreach efforts, development of a specialty provider network, medication and lab fees, or translation services.

Federally Qualified Health Centers and independent health centers can apply for funding. Health centers applying for a grant must be an eligible tax exempt 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization serving New Jersey.   The deadline for applications is October 17, 2006.  

To apply for a grant please visit www.HorizonBlue.com/Foundation/HCI. For additional information please contact Susan G. Austin (susan_austin@HorizonBlue.com or 973-466-8332) or Jonathan Pearson (jonathan_pearson@horizonblue.com or 973-466-7698) of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey .

CONTACT:  Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Thomas Rubino, 973-466-8755
Thomas_Rubino@HorizonBlue.com