PROVIDENCE and INDIANAPOLIS – Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) and WellPoint NextRx announced this morning that Rhode Island physicians now have access to WellPoint’s SureScripts-RxHub network of eligibility and formulary information when using the company’s NextRx e-prescribing utility.

The network is designed to connect physicians or other health care providers who are using NextRx for electronic prescriptions to receive pharmacy information and patient medication history in real time, thus reducing errors and helping to contain costs.

“We are making every effort to promote the adoption and use of electronic health records by Rhode Island physicians,” said James E. Purcell, president and CEO of BCBSRI. “We believe that making e-prescribing easier will further encourage its use, which will directly benefit our members.”

The agreement follows the conclusion of a pilot program earlier this year in which BCBSRI and NextRx increased the use of generic over-the-counter medications, saving Blue Cross members $260,000 (READ MORE).

“WellPoint NextRx is consistently identifying new programs that offer health plan members access to affordable, quality medications,” said Renwyck Elder, president of WellPoint NextRx. “We’re pleased to be working with BCBSRI to connect physicians, including those treating BCBSRI members, to critical decision-support information at the point of care to help manage the patients’ use of medications and counsel patients on safe and affordable choices.”

Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, founded in 1939 as the Hospital Service Corporation of Rhode Island, is a nonprofit health insurance company insuring more than 670,000 members. It is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information is available at www.bcbsri.com.

WellPoint Inc. – the nation’s largest health benefits company in terms of medical membership, and the parent of pharmacy benefits manager (PBM) WellPoint NextRx – is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. To learn more, visit www.wellpoint.com.