%20(1).png)
Electronic Prescribing Basics
Many states now require electronic prescribing (eRx), at least for controlled substances. eRx laws are different in all states. Almost all EMR’s used most often in the DPC community either have electronic prescribing built in, or they have 3rd party arrangements with eRx companies so you can eRx from the EMR. In all of these cases, the EMR company will have all the information and customer service you might need to set up your eRx account.
Electronic prescribing can also be done outside of an EMR, through separate standalone apps/software/websites. However in these cases, any prescribing you do through them wouldn’t be recorded in the EMR, so such arrangements are typically only used by those rare DPC physicians who still do paper record-keeping, but need to eRx to be compliant with prescribing laws.
IDENTITY VERIFICATION FOR SETTING UP ERX
When setting up an electronic prescribing platform, the eRx company has to verify the physician’s identity and credentials. This is usually done through credit bureaus, who offer that service. Be warned: if you have had credit freezes for any reason (i.e. fraud, freezes due to travel you name it) the online identity verification process will fail. When it does, the process becomes painfully slow to verify identity, and can require snail-mailing photocopies of your driver’s license, and other rage-inducing demands. For this reason, if you’re planning to set up eRx in the near future, it’s a good idea to call one of the credit bureaus and make sure your credit report is free of any holds, freezes, or other issues or obtain your free annual credit report to verify no holds or freezes.Â
GETTING YOUR DONGLE
When you e-prescribe controlled substances, a 2-step verification process is required, regardless of which system you use. They will send you a little keychain dongle thing that has a button and digital readout on it. When you push the button it generates a 6-digit number that has to be entered to complete the controlled rx. There are also websites and smartphone apps that generate the codes as well. It’s a good idea to set up your eRx software to work with the online app or the phone app in addition to the dongle the company will send you, in case you find yourself away from the office and need to eRx for a patient and don’t have the dongle with you.
The content of this page is restricted to active members.
If you are an active member please log in. If you have recently applied for membership, please allow staff 3-5 days to review your application. Otherwise, if you feel you are reaching this by mistake, email hello@dpcalliance.org for assistance.
Electronic Prescribing Basics
Many states now require electronic prescribing (eRx), at least for controlled substances. eRx laws are different in all states. Almost all EMR’s used most often in the DPC community either have electronic prescribing built in, or they have 3rd party arrangements with eRx companies so you can eRx from the EMR. In all of these cases, the EMR company will have all the information and customer service you might need to set up your eRx account.
Electronic prescribing can also be done outside of an EMR, through separate standalone apps/software/websites. However in these cases, any prescribing you do through them wouldn’t be recorded in the EMR, so such arrangements are typically only used by those rare DPC physicians who still do paper record-keeping, but need to eRx to be compliant with prescribing laws.
IDENTITY VERIFICATION FOR SETTING UP ERX
When setting up an electronic prescribing platform, the eRx company has to verify the physician’s identity and credentials. This is usually done through credit bureaus, who offer that service. Be warned: if you have had credit freezes for any reason (i.e. fraud, freezes due to travel you name it) the online identity verification process will fail. When it does, the process becomes painfully slow to verify identity, and can require snail-mailing photocopies of your driver’s license, and other rage-inducing demands. For this reason, if you’re planning to set up eRx in the near future, it’s a good idea to call one of the credit bureaus and make sure your credit report is free of any holds, freezes, or other issues or obtain your free annual credit report to verify no holds or freezes.Â
GETTING YOUR DONGLE
When you e-prescribe controlled substances, a 2-step verification process is required, regardless of which system you use. They will send you a little keychain dongle thing that has a button and digital readout on it. When you push the button it generates a 6-digit number that has to be entered to complete the controlled rx. There are also websites and smartphone apps that generate the codes as well. It’s a good idea to set up your eRx software to work with the online app or the phone app in addition to the dongle the company will send you, in case you find yourself away from the office and need to eRx for a patient and don’t have the dongle with you.