Mckesson’s interqual® releases specialty rx criteria, enables automated authorizations for acute levels of care and introduces condition specific approach

Newton, mass.--(business wire)--mckesson today announced the release of the interqual 2011 solution, introducing condition specific criteria to its flagship acute criteria product, a new specialty pharmaceutical criteria set, and acute criteria inside mckesson’s clear coverage™ point of care, decision support platform. these innovations combine to add significant clinical criteria and automation, while building upon interqual’s long-standing focus on increasing efficiencies, appropriateness of care, and patient outcomes with the industry’s leading evidence-based clinical decision support tool. introducing a condition specific approach to its level of care criteria, interqual continues to innovate to meet the changing dynamics in the healthcare industry. the 2011 release will include 10 new condition specific subsets designed to simplify the review process and more proactively drive quality clinical care. this method presents criteria for all levels of care in one approach, combines severity and intensity criteria for admission and continued stay review, and incorporates a unique “response to treatment” assessment. these enhancements help drive a patient-specific approach that incorporates co-morbidity and safety issues, while decreasing inappropriate admissions, avoidable days and readmissions. these additions come as interqual celebrates 35 years as an industry leading solution. the release’s specialty pharmaceutical criteria product is designed to keep pace with the rapid increase in specialty pharmaceuticals and biologics. the interqual specialty rx criteria help guide the most appropriate use of a drug based on the latest medical evidence, facilitating use of the most effective and least costly drugs. “it is remarkable to look back at the 35-year evolution of interqual and the innovations in clinical content and technology that we have brought to the market,” said a. jacqueline mitus, md, senior vice president of clinical development and strategy for mckesson health solutions. “it’s rewarding to see how our payer, hospital and government customers continue to embrace interqual and work closely with us to enhance it year after year.” the 2011 release also brings to market interqual acute criteria within mckesson’s clear coverage solution, which combines to improve patient care and drive better business results. clear coverage enables prospective, exception-based utilization management by measuring performance and automating preauthorization, coverage determination and network compliance processes in real time, at the point of care. health plans and hospitals will be able to use the saas-based system to automate precertification for adult and pediatric admissions, including medical appropriateness review. “this year’s interqual release addresses healthcare reform by bringing the industry valuable new content and by increasing point of care automation via clear coverage,” said matthew zubiller, vice president of interqual and advanced diagnostics management, mckesson health solutions. “we look forward to evolving and expanding interqual to improve evidence-based solutions at the point of care to promote the best clinical and financial decisions for all stakeholders. our continuing focus is to drive the right care at the right cost at all points of care.” about mckesson mckesson corporation, currently ranked 14th on the fortune 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. over the course of its 178-year history, mckesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payers; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payers designed to improve outcomes for patients. for more information, visit http://www.mckesson.com.
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