E-Prescribing Mandate Creates Challenges
The new State-mandated e-prescribing law is effective March 27, 2015, and will require physicians to be able to electronically submit prescriptions for all medications, controlled and non-controlled substances, directly to the pharmacy. Although the regulation does not specifically reference long term care providers, the physicians working in the long term care setting are required to comply, which is creating some challenges for providers.
On August 25, 2014, LeadingAge NY and other State healthcare associations hosted a free webinar for members related to the upcoming e-prescribing requirement. The e-prescribing training was provided by two representatives from the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement (BNE) and covers the regulatory requirement and the credentialing process, as well as an informative question and answer session that relates the requirement to the implementation in the nursing home. The New York State regulation begins on slide 21 in the handout.
Click here for the audio recording.
Click here for the slide handout.
Highlights:
- There is a significant credentialing process for authentication and security measures that must be completed prior to being authorized to submit prescriptions.
- Providers with in-house Class 3 pharmacies are exempt from the requirement, but will still need to comply when discharging residents to the community.
- The physician may use his/her own software, or the facility may decide to find a compliant software product to incorporate into the Electronic Medical Record.
- Pharmacies are not required to accept electronic prescriptions, so it is recommended that the facility discuss the ability to accept prescriptions and the notification process for when prescriptions are received.
Contact: Michelle Synakowski, msynakowski@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8850