ROCKVILLE, Md., April 30, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DrFirst, a leading provider of healthcare IT solutions designed to improve clinical outcomes for patients, and CoverMyMeds, the industry leader in automating prior authorization processes for prescription medications, announced today a partnership to enable electronic prior authorization (ePA) functionality within DrFirst's market-leading medication management software, including its Rcopia® e-prescribing, RcopiaMU℠ for Meaningful Use, and Patient Advisor℠ medication adherence platforms.
Prior authorization (PA) is the formulary management process of requiring pre-approval for certain prescribed drugs. Historically, the PA process takes the form of paper, faxes and phone calls between medical practices, pharmacies and insurance companies, an exceptionally cumbersome process for doctors and practice staff. Further, according to a Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy study, as frequently as 40% of the time traditional PA processes lead to patients not receiving the drugs they need, resulting in poor health outcomes as patients are non-adherent to their prescribed medications.
Under the agreement, DrFirst will fully integrate CoverMyMeds functionality into both ambulatory and acute care systems in order to foster an electronic prior authorization (ePA) process that is accessible at no cost to hundreds of thousands of doctors and medical staff using DrFirst stand-alone systems or DrFirst software that is integrated in over 300 EMR/EHR and HIS systems. Within the e-prescribing workflow of Rcopia and RcopiaMU, and within the medication adherence workflow of DrFirst partner EMR/EHR and HIS systems using Patient Advisor, prescribers will be able to initiate, submit and complete prior authorizations electronically, and will be able to respond electronically to prior authorization queries originated by more than 80% of pharmacies nationwide.
"By integrating CoverMyMeds ePA functionality in our systems, we are solving a major pain-point for prescribers, pharmacies and payers," said G. Cameron Deemer, president of DrFirst. "In most cases, electronic prior authorization will be completed in seconds, a fraction of the time required to process prior authorization in the traditional manner."
The integration of ePA within DrFirst software meets prior authorization standards set by the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs (NCPDP) and will support any participating insurance payer, including those that have only partially adopted electronic processes.
"Our partnership with DrFirst enables thousands of prescribers with an ePA solution that is easier, more efficient, and helps patients get their needed medications faster," said CoverMyMeds co-founder Matt Scantland. "By bringing prior authorization closer to the point-of-prescription, we're streamlining the PA process and helping address the critical problem of patient non-adherence to medications."
About DrFirst
DrFirst pioneers technology solutions that inform the doctor-patient point of encounter, optimizing provider access to patient information, enhancing the doctor's clinical view of the patient, and improving care delivery and clinical outcomes. Our growth is driven by a commitment to innovation, security, and reliability across a wide array of services, including Medication Management, Medication Adherence, and Secure Communication and Collaboration. We are proud of our track record of service to more than 300 EMR/EHR/HIS vendors and an extensive network of providers, hospitals and patients. For more information please visit www.drfirst.com.
About CoverMyMeds
CoverMyMeds is the leader in electronic prior authorization (ePA), and the first step in patient adherence. Prescribers and pharmacies have submitted over 9 million prior authorization requests, and other coverage determinations through CoverMyMeds' automated system, and the company was recently named the 8th fastest growing healthcare company in the country by Inc. 500|5000. CoverMyMeds is the easiest and best way for EHR and E-Prescribing vendors to add Electronic PA to their systems. The company's API and comprehensive support program, coupled with an extraordinarily attractive financial model have propelled the company to the forefront of the industry's efforts to roll out the new NCPDP transaction standard.