CSMS-IPA Generic Rx Initiative

The Connecticut State Medical Society-IPA (CSMS-IPA) is pleased to provide you with physician specialty based generic prescription utilization rates. These data show a positive change over the past few years and indicate a commitment to cost effective medical care by CSMS-IPA physicians on behalf of their patients.

Perhaps the single most immediate step that a physician can take to reduce medical costs for their patients is the use of clinically appropriate generic medications. It is estimated that on average, annual savings can exceed $300 per year per prescription. Your efforts to continue to help your patients are appreciated.

	Generic Rate				Generic Rate
Specialty	2006	2007	2008*	Specialty	2006	2007	2008*
Allergy	28%	27%	28%	Neurosurgery	85%	89%	89%
Cardiology	41%	50%	58%	OB/GYN	43%	48%	48%
Dermatology	51%	52%	55%	Oncology	55%	60%	62%
Endocrinology	40%	44%	44%	Ophthalmology	27%	25%	26%
Family Practice	52%	58%	62%	Orthopedics	86%	87%	88%
Gastroenterology	38%	38%	45%	Otolaryngology	47%	49%	52%
General Practitioner	57%	62%	66%	Pain Management	73%	76%	74%
General Surgery	76%	77%	78%	Pediatrics	56%	57%	61%
Gynecology	30%	39%	46%	Plastic Surgery	84%	86%	91%
Hematology	51%	57%	54%	Pulmonology	33%	33%	35%
Infectious Disease	44%	47%	49%	Rheumatology	71%	73%	73%
Internal Medicine	50%	56%	60%	Thoracic Surgery	50%	64%	73%
Nephrology	48%	52%	55%	Urology	44%	46%	48%
Neurology	39%	40%	41%	Vascular Surgery	62%	59%	58%

It is also pertinent to remind you that there are components of the Health Net/ CSMS-IPA pay for performance program (Partners for Quality and Cost Effective Care (P4Q)) which provides financial rewards for improvement in generic use rate on an annual basis in addition to recognizing the best performing physicians within peer specific groups.

Additionally, as you may know, Health Net, the CSMS-IPA and Emdeon have recently made electronic prescribing available to all IPA members at the nominal cost of $5 per practitioner per month. This tool streamlines prescribing, decreases potential drug errors and can assist you in making progress in the area of generic use. Click here to learn more about this value-added service.

Thank you for your continued support of your patients and your understanding and cooperation. Should you have any questions regarding this initiative, click here to contact the IPA.