E-Prescribing Mandated in Minnesota
Tim Pawlenty, Governor of Minnesota, recently signed legislation that mandates use of e-prescribing systems. As well, the new law further requires that all electronic health records systems implemented have CCHIT-certification.
The law requires that electronic prescribing be implemented by the beginning of 2011. Both medication dispensers and prescribers muse incorporate systems that utilize the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs’ SCRIPT standard or Health Level Seven (HL7) messaging standards. These standards support transmission of prescriptions and related necessary information.
The new law, the 2008 Minnesota Health Care Reform Act or Senate File 3780, includes other provisions intended to increase both the availability and coverage of health insurance, reform the processes for payment, and increase the transparency of quality and pricing data. Additional components include improvements for the management of chronic care and funding programs to combat obesity and use of tobacco products.
Use of electronic health records are not mandated in the legislation passed. The requirement for CCHIT certification will ensure that various systems implemented across the state will be interoperable. Those systems must also be able to support e-prescribing.
An article posted by Workforce Management describes the health insurance related components of the system. One significant change is the way that providers will receive reimbursement.
June 4, 2008 Related topics: Legal & legislative