We Developed New Partnerships--and Nourished Existing Ones--to Ease Introduction of Information Technology by Physicians

Recognizing that the adoption of information technology (IT) is just one more expense for physicians who are experiencing escalating medical liability insurance rates while health plan reimbursement rates remain low, MSDC partnered with entities to make sure its members would have advantages when they decided to implement IT products and services in their practices.

Free Practice Web Sites and IT Tools Offered Via Partnership with Medem

In 2005, MSDC continued its five-year relationship with Medem-the nation's premier physician-patient communications network.  Medem offers MSDC members free practice web sites, tools to conduct online consultations with patients, and the "iHealth" record for patients-a portable, paperless patient record stored online.

Help with Installation of EHR Systems Provided Via "DOQ-IT" Program

As a result of the Delmarva Foundation's participation in a nationwide pilot program to promote the adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems, MSDC members who had adopted such a system-or planned to do so in the near future-became eligible for free assistance.

Regular Updates on VistA-Office Communicated to Members

MSDC provided updates to members on plans by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer inexpensive EHR software-VistA-Office-to physicians.  MSDC members were invited to participate in a beta-test of the software starting in late 2005.