Doctors to receive PCs, handhelds

Health insurer WellPoint announced a $40 million program on Wednesday to equip doctors with handheld computers and PCs. The program, a partnership with Microsoft, Dell and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, will be offered to 19,000 physicians in WellPoint's regional network.

Doctors will have the choice of a wireless handheld based on Microsoft's PocketPC software and outfitted with special software and services for electronic submission of prescription orders, or a Dell PC and printer combo to help with processing claims and using Internet resources.