Twenty Epic Health Systems Select Surescripts’ Electronic Prior Authorization Solution

ARLINGTON, Va. – August 31, 2015 – Surescripts, the nation’s largest health information network, continues to expand the reach of its electronic prior authorization service with 20 hospitals and health systems, including Altru Health System, CentraCare Health, Community Health Network, Deaconess Health System, Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Health Network, Sanford Health, and Sutter Health. Now, more than 17,000 providers utilizing Epic’s electronic health record (EHR) software will have the ability to complete prior authorization requests within minutes, giving doctors the ability to deliver the most efficient and connected care possible and ensuring patients receive needed medications faster. With the addition of these health systems, CompletEPA^® is now available to more than 415,000 doctors using 27 different EHR software solutions.

“Prior authorizations are consistently noted as a source of frustration for prescribers and their staff, and it causes delays for patients, many of whom ultimately never pick-up their prescriptions,” said Mike Pritts, Executive Vice President of Product Innovation at Surescripts. “With CompletEPA, Surescripts provides Epic end-users with what they have been asking for – a fully integrated and digital solution that simplifies and streamlines prior authorizations, so they can get much-needed medications to their patients without the hassle.”

By utilizing CompletEPA, the prior authorization process is electronic, in real time, without the use of web portals, phone calls or faxes, reducing the administrative burden for prescribers by eliminating what historically has been a drawn out administrative process. CompletEPA integrates directly into Epic users’ existing e-prescribing workflow.

“CompletEPA is providing an efficient line of communication between providers and health plans,” said John Holle, Application Analyst at Altru Health System. “As we focus on the best care for our patients, the electronic prior authorization streamlines the patient’s ability to obtain needed medications."

With the addition of CompletEPA, prescribers will be notified immediately if a prior authorization is required and dynamic forms will prepopulate with patient benefit data obtained through Surescripts’ direct connections with the nation’s largest pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), covering 75 percent of insured patients nationwide.

“We expect that using CompletEPA will streamline insurance authorizations, enabling our patients to get their medications more quickly and also reduce administrative time for our clinic and pharmacy staff,” said Michael Sura, Pharm.D., Executive Director of Clinical Informatics, Business and Strategic Planning for Froedtert & the Medical College of Wisconsin Health Network.

“At CentraCare Health, our goal is to keep our doctors focused on providing the best care for our patients, not paperwork,” said Amy Porwoll, Chief Information Officer of CentraCare Health. “We are eager to see how CompletEPA will help improve our service and streamline prior authorization requests so they can continue to provide the highest level of care to our patients.”