EHR Certification Could Have Prevented Practice Fusion Scheme

Adequate EHR certification could have prevented the recent Practice Fusion opioid prescribing kickback scheme, according to Jacob Reider, MD, former ONC official and CMIO at Allscripts.  Jacob Reider, MD, former ONC official and CMIO at Allscripts offered his thoughts on Practice Fusion’s kickback scheme which was aimed at increasing opioid prescriptions during the peak of the opioid crisis, resulting in a record-breaking $145 million fine. Reider believes proper EHR certification could have prevented this massive ordeal from the start. Practice Fusion, now a subsidiary of Allscripts, was originally funded by venture capital and advertising. Reider explained the company’s CEO, Ryan Howard, believed the EHR company could generate revenue through advertising.