Do you really know what happens to that prescription after you click “send?”
E-prescribing is the electronic transmission of a prescription to the pharmacy in such a way that the data goes directly into the pharmacy’s computer system. In many cases, a physician clicks “send” to disburse prescriptions to the assigned pharmacy, and thinks that he or she is electronically prescribing, but the physician may actually be sending a computer generated fax.
In other practices, the physician who clicks “send” avoids sending the prescription directly altogether and fires it to his or her in office printer to be handed to the patient or manually faxed to the pharmacy.
Why does it matter if I prescribe electronically or via fax?
Sending a computer generated fax prescription, is just that, a faxed prescription. The faxed prescription must then be entered into the pharmacy’s computer system manually, increasing the chance for drug error.
Additionally, starting January 1, 2009, CMS, under the “Medicare Modernization Act,” will require all Medicare Part D computer generated prescriptions to comply with NCPDP Script standard, and thus be transmitted electronically and not via fax1. Lack in understanding of your system and being unsure as to whether you prescribe electronically does not place you in compliance.
In addition to the safety and efficiency associated with electronic prescribing, two-way connectivity is available with most chain and independent pharmacies. Two-way connectivity can assist in completely automating your prescribing system through fast and efficient communication. New prescriptions will immediately transmit to the pharmacies system and refill requests can be sent directly to your EHR. Some pharmacies even notify you when the patient picks up a prescription and gives a list of medications prescribed by other doctors and filled at that pharmacy.
How do I know if I am properly e-prescribing?
Your e-prescription software or EHR vendor will be able to work with you to confirm that your system is enabled to prescribe electronically to those pharmacies accepting electronic prescriptions. You can also verify whether your practice can establish an e-prescribing connection with pharmacies by visiting GetRxConnected and taking the readiness assessment. This site also contains a list of connected pharmacies by state.
You can also contact your vendor and request your connection to the “Pharmacy Health Information Exchange.” Be sure to explain that you want to receive refill requests electronically from local pharmacies, not by fax. You may also want to ask the following questions: Is a system upgrade required? Are there any additional costs involved? What kind of training will be provided? When can I get connected?
1 Federal Register. Vol. 72. No. 227. §423.160
