Epic, CVS Health Team Up to Use Analytics for Informed Medication Insights

Oct. 17, 2017
Epic Systems and CVS Health have announced an initiative in which analytics and data sharing will be leveraged to generate insights surrounding dispensing patterns and behaviors around medication adherence.

Epic Systems and CVS Health have announced an initiative in which analytics and data sharing will be leveraged to generate insights surrounding dispensing patterns and behaviors around medication adherence.

The aim is to help lower drug costs for patients and improve outcomes by providing prescribers with expanded visibility to lower cost alternatives through enhanced analytics and data sharing, according to a press release from the organizations this week. CVS Health will specifically use Epic's Healthy Planet population health and analytics platform to generate insights surrounding dispensing patterns and behaviors around medication adherence.

The idea behind the partnership is to strengthen prescription decision-making for patients and their care teams, including physicians, pharmacists and health insurers, say officials. “Real-time benefit information and facilitated, point-of-prescribing electronic prior authorization will help improve and simplify patient access to necessary medications and ensure their prescribers are aware of prescription insurance formulary status and less expensive alternatives as appropriate,” they note in the release.

CVS Health currently works with the Verona, Wisconsin-based EHR (electronic health record) giant Epic to support the company's MinuteClinic nurse practitioners and CVS Specialty's care management programs. Now, through this new strategic relationship CVS Health and Epic will explore a number of new areas including:

  • Prescription Drug Savings: Collaboration around real-time benefit information and facilitated, point-of-prescribing electronic prior authorization to help inform patients and prescribers in real time about covered drugs that are clinically effective and available at the lowest out-of-pocket cost for the patient;
  • Improved Prescribing Decisions: Development of a clinical database to enhance medication counseling and help optimize medication selection for CVS Health patients;
  • Shared Care Plan for Pharmacists: Improve pharmacist access to clinical information and allow contribution to the care plan to improve continuity of care;
  • Digital Front Store Capabilities: Creation of a digital front store to enable inclusion of purchases of over-the-counter medications and durable medical equipment into the patient's electronic health record.

"Working in collaboration with CVS Health allows for enhanced and efficient data integration and decision support for clinicians while relieving administrative burden," Gregory Rosencrance, M.D., chairman of Cleveland Clinic Medicine Institute, said in a statement. "These promising advances put the patient at the center of care while improving the cost and quality of care they receive." CVS Health is a member of Cleveland Clinic's clinically integrated network and Quality Alliance.

Sponsored Recommendations

Improving Workplace Safety and Patient Care in Behavioral Health

In 2023, Vail Health enhanced safety in their behavioral health clinic, but the impact went beyond their expectations. Read their case study to see how prioritizing workplace ...

Transforming Hospital Capacity Through Smarter Patient Progression Strategies

Helping patients move seamlessly through every stage of their care, from admission to discharge, is critical to ensuring patient safety, improving outcomes, and optimizing capacity...

Beyond the AI Buzz: How Clinicians Can Leverage AI for Value-Based Success

Watch on-demand to explore the impact of implementing AI in primary care settings to reduce burnout and thrive in value-based care. Including practical takeaways on driving clinician...

Building the Connected Hospital: Bridging Operational Gaps Through Technology

Join industry leaders to explore how advanced technologies like RFID, AI, EMR, and ERP systems are transforming hospitals into connected ecosystems that enhance efficiency, streamline...