Insurer finds EMRs won’t pay off for its doctors

BlueCross BlueShield of Massachusetts has announced that it will not require physicians to install an EMR to participate in its bonus program. Relying on information from past studies, BlueCross decided the financial benefits of office-based electronic medical records systems are not worth the cost to doctors. Analysts say the decision won't make technology advocates change their tune on the benefits of EMR, but that it may strengthen the case for outside funding for physician EMRs.