Ft. Myers, Fla.-based Lee Memorial Health System is launching a $70 million electronic medical records system at its hospitals and clinics, but the cost of the technology is proving to be problematic for the area's independent providers, according to a News-Press report.
The system is not pushing providers to buy in to the new technology just yet, given the high price-tag. Practices would have to pay $15,000 – $16,000 for the license to use the Epic system. They would be responsible for $4,500 in annual fees and $25,000-$80,000 to set up the system.
The area's independent physicians control 84 percent of outpatient care in the area. Lee Memorial cares for about 14 percent of outpatients in the county, meaning large portions of patient histories may not be included in its record system if other physicians don't buy in.
Many of the county's independent physicians want to model their health information exchange based on one that has been running in Manatee County for more than a year, where physicians can subscribe for $100 a month.
Read the News-Press report on Lee Memorial Health System, EMRs and independent physicians.
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The system is not pushing providers to buy in to the new technology just yet, given the high price-tag. Practices would have to pay $15,000 – $16,000 for the license to use the Epic system. They would be responsible for $4,500 in annual fees and $25,000-$80,000 to set up the system.
The area's independent physicians control 84 percent of outpatient care in the area. Lee Memorial cares for about 14 percent of outpatients in the county, meaning large portions of patient histories may not be included in its record system if other physicians don't buy in.
Many of the county's independent physicians want to model their health information exchange based on one that has been running in Manatee County for more than a year, where physicians can subscribe for $100 a month.
Read the News-Press report on Lee Memorial Health System, EMRs and independent physicians.
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