Allscripts Benefits

Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions Inc. (MDRX - Analyst Report) recently benefited from the $1 million federal grant secured by U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy and Vermont Information Technology Leaders Inc. that will provide incentives to physicians and independent pharmacies of Vermont to adopt health information technology. Allscripts benefited from this move as it has recently entered into a strategic alliance with Vermont Information Technology Leaders Inc. 

Vermont Information Technology is a non-profit organization facilitating the expanded use of health care IT in Vermont. Vermont is the most improved state in the U.S. for electronic prescribing and Allscripts has a strong presence there. Per the recently entered agreement with Allscripts, the health care providers of Vermont will use Allscripts products and services through Vermont Information Technology Leaders at preferred pricing. 

Allscripts offers physicians three different electronic health record (EHR) systems, all of which have a world-class functionality. It has been seen that the effective use of EHR systems reduces medical errors, enhances clinical quality and leads to better patient outcomes by accessing patient records in real time. 

The U.S. government is increasingly emphasizing the use of EHR systems these days. This is evident from the recent Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (H.R. 6331) passed by the government. The Act, for the first time ever, provides financial incentives to physicians who adopt electronic prescribing (ePrescribing), requires adoption by 2011, and delays any reduction in fees for treating Medicare patients. 

Libertyville, Illinois-based Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. is a leading provider of clinical software and information solutions for physicians. In Oct 2008, the company merged with Misys Plc − a global applications software and services company − to form Allscripts-Misys Healthcare Solutions Inc. 

Allscripts faces strong competition from Cerner Corporation (CERN - Snapshot Report), Quality Systems Inc. (QSII - Analyst Report) and MedAssets Inc. (MDAS - Snapshot Report).