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450 Physicians Set to Join Regional Health Information Exchange Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 15, 2009
Contacts: Earl Wells/Laura Taczak
e3communications
716-854-8182

UBMD signs agreement with HEALTHeLINK™

BUFFALO, NEW YORK – HEALTHeLINK™, the Western New York Clinical Exchange, and UBMD, a practice plan comprised of 450 physicians who are also professors at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, today announced that both parties have reached an agreement in which UBMD physicians will join the region-wide health information exchange which is maintained by HEALTHeLINK™.

HEALTHeLINK™ provides Western New York physicians with immediate access to critical health information, including alerts regarding dangerous drug combinations as well as laboratory results, radiology and other transcribed reports.

“Our agreement with HEALTHeLINK™ is another example of the University at Buffalo taking a leading role in helping to shape the future of the region’s health care system,” David L. Dunn, President and CEO, UB Associates and Vice President for Health Sciences at the University at Buffalo said. “HEALTHeLINK™ is at the forefront not only in New York State but nationally in creating a truly functional regional health information exchange network and we are very excited to be part of this historic collaboration among hospital systems and health plans.”

“This initiative for our community is one that will provide a platform to create a health care system that will facilitate improved quality of care and the associated benefits through the sharing and exchange of health information,” Raghu Ram, MD, senior medical director of BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and chairman of the Physician Advisory Committee for HEALTHeLINK™.

It is estimated that a national health information exchange system has the potential to reduce the cost of health care by billions of dollars annually, help mitigate annual increases in health insurance premiums and reduce medical malpractice costs for physicians among many other benefits. HEALTHeLINK™ will seamlessly create a network among the provider community, including physician offices, diagnostic testing facilities, hospitals and health insurance plans to better serve health care consumers.

“This is a major milestone as we move this project forward. We are confident that many more WNY physicians will move quickly to join their respected colleagues at UBMD in using this important new tool to help them better treat their patients” Daniel Porreca, Executive Director HEALTHeLINK™ said.

About UB MD

UBMD is a practice plan that includes more than 450 physicians who are also professors at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. These world-class teachers and world-renowned doctors dedicate their lives to nurturing the next generation of physicians, while also helping thousands of Western New Yorkers live healthier lives.

About HEALTHeLINK™

HEALTHeLINK™, the Western New York Clinical Information Exchange (WNYCIE), is a collaborative effort among various organizations to share clinical information in efficient and meaningful ways to improve the delivery of care, enhance clinical outcomes, and help control healthcare costs throughout the region. The not-for-profit organization and was established through funding from The Catholic Health System, Erie County Medical Center Corporation, HealthNow New York (BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York), Independent Health Association, Kaleida Health, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Univera Healthcare and a $3.5 million HEAL 1 grant from New York State. HEALTHeLINK™ stakeholders also include a broad representation of healthcare professionals and organizations throughout the eight-county Western New York region such as the Buffalo Academy of Medicine (BAM), Erie County Department of Health (ECDOH), State University of New York at Buffalo and the WNY R-AHEC (Rural Area Health Education Center).