Minneapolis-based Allina Health is using a digital pricing tool in its Epic EHR system that allows physicians to see how much a patient is required to pay for a prescription, according to Press & News.
The tool pulls information from the patient's specific insurance coverage and pharmacy to present physicians with an accurate depiction of the price the patient would have to pay for the prescribed drugs. The technology can also help the physician search for more affordable drug alternatives.
The health system deployed the tool a few months ago, according to Gary Konkol, MD, a physician at Allina Health Maple Grove (Minn.) Clinic. Approximately 600 Allina Health primary care physicians are using the tool, according to the report.
"This tool allows the prescriber to know if the patient's health insurance will cover the medication in real time, and offer suggestions for similar medications that are covered by insurance if the original medication is not covered," Dr. Konkol said.