IBM and Epic jointly pursue DoD contract

IBM is teaming up with EHR giant Epic to compete for the Department of Defense Healthcare Management Systems Modernization (DHMSM) contract that entails replacing and modernizing the Military Health System (MHS) clinical systems.  

IBM and Epic are planning to propose a solution to transform the MHS by leveraging Epic's health IT solution. “The combination of IBM and Epic brings complementary strengths and track-records of delivering successful on-time, on-budget projects to large multi-regional healthcare organizations that match the MHS in size and project scope,” according to IBM’s release on the partnership.

IBM will focus on system integration, change management and operational expertise in delivering large-scale transformational solutions, while Epic will offer its enterprise health IT suite.

The team will be led by IBM's Federal Healthcare practice and backed by the IBM global IT, research and healthcare organizations. IBM's CMIO, Keith Salzman, MD, will lead the collaboration between IBM and Epic, according to the company.

"Our collaboration with Epic for DHMSM was a natural extension of our global partnership," said Andy Maner, managing partner, IBM US Federal, in a statement. "Improving quality of care and reductions to the overall costs for our military will be our primary goal. This is going to require bringing a physician's mindset, proven past performance and a commitment to innovation."

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