EHR vendor Practice Fusion has integrated prescription coupons directly into the electronic record.
According to a Practice Fusion blog, approximately 50 million patients did not fill prescriptions due to high costs in 2012, which can lead to increased preventable healthcare costs stemming from medication non-adherence.
Providing integrated coupons, according to Practice Fusion, can help reduce barriers to treatment options, improve medication adherence, reduce treatment costs and offer convenience.
Earlier this year, Practice Fusion came under scrutiny for sponsored alerts that appear in the electronic records. Practice Fusion provides its software for free, but makes money by selling these sponsored alerts to providers, such as reminders that certain patients are due for a vaccine. Pharmaceutical giant Merck, for example, pays for alerts through the company.
According to a Wall Street Journal article, some experts are hesitant that the sponsored alerts cross the line from clinical decision making support to marketing.
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