In recent years, health-care analysts and advocates of the Internet have raised expectations for gaining significant cost savings from applying e-commerce to health-care related activities, including medical service and supply procurement. The health-care services and products industry could significantly enhance its ability to deliver quality products and services to consumers by using e-commerce to improve the information associated with the supply chain.
Last March, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) issued Advisory Opinion 12-02, which dramatically expands the ability of health-care providers to engage in e-commerce.
