SCRIPT v10.6 was sunset on September 1
IMPROVING PATIENT SAFETY AND PRESCRIPTION ACCURACY
The NCPDP SCRIPT Standard v2017071 creates workflow efficiencies and enhances prescription accuracy. Together with our network partners, we are working to deliver the benefits of E-Prescribing and Medication History to as many providers as possible, limit disruption for patients and providers, and continue to keep patients safe.
THE MAJORITY OF THE SURESCRIPTS NETWORK HAS MIGRATED
Most health systems, electronic health records (EHR) software vendors, pharmacies, pharmacy technology vendors, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health systems have completed the transition. Surescripts has worked with those who weren’t able to migrate in time to provide their users with alternate means to continue to serve their patients.
Any provider experiencing a disruption of service should contact their technology vendor.
IS YOUR VENDOR CERTIFIED?
SINCE 2017, SURESCRIPTS HAS LED THE MIGRATION TO SCRIPT STANDARD v2017071
Surescripts continues to lead industry efforts to transition with:
- 177 customer emails, opened nearly 37,000 times
- 1 news release
- Features in 8 Network Alliance newsletters
- 7 Intelligence in Action articles
- 9 product guides and technical documents
- 17 pieces of collateral, including extensive FAQs and support documents
- 11 customer bulletins
- 42 webinars
- 10 in-person meetings and conferences
MODERNIZING E-PRESCRIBING
NCPDP SCRIPT standard v2017071 is intended to facilitate the transfer of prescription data between pharmacies, prescribers and payers. It helps reduce administrative burdens for providers & increase patient safety by:
- Reducing the need for manual processes for patient data exchange that disrupt provider and pharmacy workflows, including ability to note patient allergies, preferred language and international addresses.
- Allowing for the drug name and quantity of up to 25 different ingredients in one electronic prescription, making the electronic prescribing of compounded prescriptions possible.
- Expanding the sig, or patient instructions, field from a maximum of 140 characters to a maximum of 1,000 characters, helping eliminate confusion and delays in pharmacies.
- Allowing prescribers to cancel a prescription, and pharmacies to electronically request prescriptions for medications they have not previously dispensed or readily transfer prescriptions between pharmacies.
- Enriching medication history with additional data elements.
- Serving long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) settings with transactions that lend long-awaited clarity, automation and efficiency to this unique healthcare area.
Resources
NCDPD Resources:
- The NCPDP SCRIPT standard v2017071 materials are available to NCPDP members on the NCPDP website’s
SCRIPT Standards page
- NCPDP SCRIPT standard v2017071 XML Files
- NCPDP SCRIPT standard v2017071 Implementation Guide
- NCPDP SCRIPT standard v2017071 XML Standards
- V2017071 NCPDP SCRIPT standard Examples Guide
- NCPDP SCRIPT 2017071 and 10.6 Comparison
- NCPDP SCRIPT v201707 Data Dictionary and External Code List (online tool)
- SCRIPT Implementation Recommendation Guide
Featured Articles
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
On December 10, 2018, Surescripts established its sunset date for E-Prescribing and Medication History solutions using NCPDP SCRIPT standard v10.6 for December 1, 2020. In April 2020, we announced that we would adjust our plan to allow those end users who are fully dedicated to responding to the COVID-19 pandemic additional time to complete their migration. The original sunset date was extended to September 1, 2021.
All electronic health records (EHR) vendors, health systems, pharmacies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who utilize Surescripts E-Prescribing or Medication History must complete their migrations to SCRIPT v2017071 by September 1, 2021, in order for their users to continue to use these services. The NCPDP SCRIPT standard v2017071 was adopted by CMS in 2018 and is required for all Medicare Part D drug plans.
If their vendor is also certified for E-Prescribing for Controlled Substances (EPCS), and they do not complete their migration to SCRIPT v2017071 by September 1, 2021, their users will not be able to use Surescripts E-Prescribing for Controlled Substances and will need to find alternate means of prescribing controlled substances. Electronic prescribing is required for some or all prescriptions in 32 states. In addition, CMS requires that prescriptions for most controlled substances under the Medicare Part D program be sent electronically, utilizing NCPDP SCRIPT standard v2017071.