Epic is teaming up with IBM to compete for the Department of Defense's Healthcare Management System Modernization contract.
Epic and IBM are proposing using Epic's electronic health record software coupled with IBM's systems integration, operations and change management expertise to replace the current Military Health System clinical database. The new system would serve the DoD's 9.7 million beneficiaries.
"Service members, their families and the healthcare providers who care for them deserve the best healthcare our country can provide. They would benefit from an integrated system that leverages best practices from other large and successful healthcare organizations," said Carl Dvorak, president of Epic, in a news release. "We would be honored to be part of the solution to modernize the MHS. In collaboration with IBM, we can provide a successful implementation that will support innovation and interoperability within military healthcare."
The IBM-Epic announcement comes before the official start of the DoD's bidding competition, according to a Bloomberg report. Other companies that have already thrown their hats into the ring for the approximately $11 billion project include Accenture and Northrop Grumman. Accenture was selected earlier this year to help the federal government fix the underperforming health insurance exchange.
Following pressure from lawmakers, the DoD announced last year the agency would develop a new EHR that would increase efficiencies and better integrate with the Department of Veterans Affairs' clinical system.
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