CMA and the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) have collaborated to put easy-to-use technology and valuable information about drug formularies—including Medicare Part D—literally in the palm of physicians’ hands.

For a bundled price of $99, physicians can purchase a Palm Z22 handheld computer and the Epocrates Rx Pro premium software. That’s nearly 40 percent off the regular price. This offer, available to physicians and other clinicians, is only good through the end of May.

With the launch of Medicare Part D in January, Medicare recipients in California now can choose from 48 health plans. The multiple formularies complicate the prescribing challenges facing physicians. These tools will help physicians manage the volume of information needed to pick the correct medicines and provide high-quality care for their patients, especially those with chronic conditions who require multiple medications. Epocrates-enabled handheld computers allow a physician in an exam room to identify which medicines are in which formularies, check for drug interactions, and find drug alternatives.

“We are leveraging easy-to-use technology to simplify the delivery of medicine to patients,” says CMA CEO Jack Lewin, M.D. “This is an important step to make the Part D program safer and more efficient.”

Already have a handheld computer? Access the Part D formularies free through Epocrates’ online and handheld drug reference guides. And don’t forget that CMA members receive 30 percent off one-year subscriptions and 35 percent off two-year subscriptions to any Epocrates product. Students and residents receive 50 percent off all Epocrates products.

Contact: CMA’s member help line, 888/233-2937 or lgodward@cmanet.org.