CVS Health to implement Epic EHR system for Specialty Pharmacy business

CVS Health will implement Epic as the electronic health record system for CVS Specialty's care management programs, CVS Health announced Thursday. Moving to Epic will help integrate and improve clinical processes for CVS Specialty, the company said.

This includes Accordant, part of the CVS Specialty Pharmacy business which provides care management program services for patients with rare, chronic diseases like multiple sclerosis, lupus, Parkinson's, rheumatoid arthritis, hemophilia, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell disease, a CVS health spokesperson said. Those services include support to help manage symptoms of their disease and/or medications, and optimize care.

[Also: NYC Health + Hospitals delays next phase of $764 million Epic EHR implementation]

The EHR will support CVS Specialty's care management programs and will connect them with healthcare providers nationwide that currently use Epic, including many major health systems, hospital networks and physician groups. The company already uses the Epic EHR system for their MinuteClinic division, which transitioned to it in 2015.

CVS Specialty provides advanced clinical services for patients with rare or complex conditions, including drug therapy management, and dispensing and infusion services, as well as individual counseling to ensure safe medication use and positive outcomes, disease education, benefits verification, care coordination and other services.

Twitter: @BethJSanborn