BW0102 JAN 09,2001 5:04 PACIFIC 08:04 EASTERN
( BW)(TX-ADVANCEPCS)(ADVP) AdvancePCS, ePocrates Handheld Technology
Drives Physician Office Efficiency
Business Editors/High-Tech Writers
IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 9, 2001--Connecticut
physicians participating in a pilot project sponsored by AdvancePCS
(Nasdaq: ADVP), the nation's leading health improvement company,
believe handheld organizer technology has helped them significantly
improve the efficiency of their practices where it counts the most --
at the point of care.
The AdvancePCS pilot, developed in a cooperative effort with
ePocrates Inc. and ConnectiCare Inc. to improve quality of care,
manage drug costs and reduce work-flow inefficiencies, earned high
ratings from physicians using the technology to help them make better
prescribing decisions for their patients.
ePocrates' qRx(TM) software was used to conduct a pilot to measure
and interpret the value of providing drug reference and formulary
information on Palm Vx handheld devices at the point of care.
More than 80 percent of the physicians said the pilot program was
valuable or very valuable, according to post-pilot research findings.
AdvancePCS and ePocrates, the leading handheld network for physicians,
collaborated on the project with more than 100 physicians working with
patients in the ConnectiCare Inc. health plan.
"AdvancePCS focused on providing a reference solution to meet the
needs that physicians have asked for," said Jon S. Halbert, AdvancePCS
vice chairman, e-business and technology.
"We were less focused on electronic prescribing because it was not
the physicians' primary need, according to our market research and
findings from other pilot programs. Looking ahead, however, we do
believe physicians will be interested in electronic refill
prescribing."
Overall satisfaction was high because the easy-to-use technology
provided the physicians instant access to dosing and interaction facts
on 99 percent of the most commonly prescribed drugs.
Time-saving access to the majority of regional formularies
simplified one of the most difficult tasks in a doctor's practice --
selecting drugs covered by health plans -- and thus reduced the number
of pharmacy phone calls to the physicians to clarify or revise
prescriptions.
"AdvancePCS was excited about conducting this pilot because we
believe point-of-care technology initiatives will help control drug
costs and improve patient care," Halbert said. "For instance, our
experience with the ConnectiCare program shows there is a real
opportunity to reduce the administrative 'hassle factor' for patients
and physicians -- not to mention their office staffs.
"AdvancePCS is continuing to evaluate the data from this pilot and
identify future opportunities, but we already know that it will serve
as an excellent foundation for expanding research into additional
facets of physician connectivity."
Post-pilot research has revealed:
-- Physicians believe the solution has improved quality of care,
since they can offer patients lower copays, prescribe
correctly the first time and increase prescription accuracy.
-- Pharmacy call volume related to prescribing choices declined
after physicians began using the handheld devices, which had a
positive impact on office workflow by freeing more time for
patient care.
-- Three-quarters of the physicians believe the technology is
likely to influence their choice of prescription medications
to more appropriate, cost-effective drugs.
-- Approximately 90 percent of the physicians are more likely to
refer to a health plan's approved drug list when choosing a
medication, because it takes less time and effort with
handheld devices than with books.
"I have been very happy with the technology because it is easy to
use," said Dr. Alan Greenglass of Connecticut Health Partners Medical
Group, which participated in the pilot along with
ProHealth-Physicians. "I found the formulary information easily
accessible and very helpful -- it has made my office more efficient."
Jeff Casberg, ConnectiCare's director of pharmacy services,
believes the project offers significant value to the plan's members,
as well as physicians and pharmacies.
"Ultimately, this project and others like it will transform the
manner in which prescriptions are written and delivered to patients,"
Casberg said. "The information at the point of care can reduce errors,
help doctors choose the appropriate medication and reduce members'
out-of-pocket expense."
Methodology
AdvancePCS conducted the research to gather quantitative and
qualitative measures of the value of the drug database, formulary
application and handheld platform in the practices of participating
physicians. Research included physicians and office staff in two
specific medical groups in Connecticut who reported access to the
Internet in their practice or at home.
The two-phased research employed a benchmark and follow-up
methodology that included observation, an online survey and telephone
interviews with participants.
About AdvancePCS
AdvancePCS (www.advancepcsrx.com) is the nation's largest
independent provider of health improvement services, touching the
lives of more than 75 million Americans and managing more than $18
billion annually in health care spending. The company offers health
plans a comprehensive array of highly effective pharmacy benefit and
health benefit management services designed to build better health.
Its capabilities include integrated mail service and retail
pharmacy networks, innovative clinical services, customized disease
management programs, clinical trials and outcomes research,
information management, and prescription drug services for the
uninsured.
AdvancePCS clients include Blue Cross and Blue Shield
organizations, insurance companies and HMOs, Fortune 500 employers,
Taft-Hartley groups, state and local governments, and other health
plan sponsors.
AdvancePCS is an information technology leader and has developed
several online health care solutions, including www.AdvanceRx.com, one
of the country's most comprehensive Internet pharmacies. The company's
e-health portal, www.BuildingBetterHealth.com, helps people stay
healthy by providing valuable information on health and wellness.
About ePocrates
ePocrates is the largest handheld physician network, enabling
quick point-of-care access to important clinical information and
services. The ePocrates network has grown to more than 80,000
physicians and 60,000 medical students and other health care
professionals.
Located in San Carlos, Calif., ePocrates is a privately held
company led by President and Chief Executive Officer John Voris,
former PCS Health Systems chief operations officer and Eli Lilly and
Co. veteran.
The company was founded in 1998 by Richard Fiedotin, M.D., and
Jeff Tangney, and is funded by Sprout Group, Draper Fisher Jurvetson,
InterWest, Three Arch Partners and Bay City Capital. For more
information, please visit www.epocrates.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements included in this press release that are not
historical facts and that concern predictions of economic performance
and management's plans and objectives constitute forward-looking
statements under the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking
statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences
include, but are not limited to, factors detailed in AdvancePCS'
Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
--30--jae/ix*
CONTACT: AdvancePCS
Dale Thomas, 480/614-7212
KEYWORD: TEXAS CONNECTICUT
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS HARDWARE MEDICAL
MEDICAL DEVICES SOFTWARE MARKETING AGREEMENTS