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How do I enable my pharmacy for e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?

If your pharmacy management system is certified to connect to the Surescripts network, you simply contact your pharmacy software vendor, ask them to enable your e-prescribing functionality, and specify that you want to be connected to the Surescripts network.

Pharmacies should ask their vendor:

• If any patches or upgrades to their system are required.
• If any amendments to their contract are needed to cover transaction fees
• What training is provided to get accustomed to the new or upgraded system

Click here to see if your pharmacy software system has been certified by Surescripts.

How do I know if my software is certified, and what does that mean?

Surescripts does not develop, sell or endorse e-prescribing software but instead works with existing vendors to certify their technologies to connect to the Surescripts network. This process ensures that electronic prescribing solutions are able to send and receive supported electronic messages and that the solution is providing open choice for medication selection and dispensing location. Additionally, the process ensures that the technology systems work in accordance with industry-accepted standards for the electronic exchange of prescription data between physicians and pharmacies. A complete list of certified pharmacy software systems can be found at the following link. If your pharmacy software is on this list and you are not yet enabled for e-prescribing, contact your vendor to request the e-prescribing functionality.

What will this cost me?

Your pharmacy will pay a set cost per transaction to your technology vendor for each prescription renewal request you send or new prescription you receive over the Surescripts network. In 2010 Surescripts reduced the amount that pharmacy technology vendors pay for e-prescribing.

Surescripts receives a portion of these fees from your technology vendor to cover its costs - you are not billed by Surescripts. Please ask your pharmacy technology vendor what these charges will be and how you would be billed.

Unlike online claims processing fees, you won't pay transaction fees for every prescription you dispense, only for prescriptions received or renewal requests sent over the Surescripts network. Refills attached to a new or renewed prescription do not incur a transaction fee.

What is considered a “billable transaction”?

Although pharmacies are not billed directly by Surescripts, your pharmacy will likely pay a set cost per transaction to your technology vendor for each prescription renewal request you send or new prescription you receive over the Surescripts network. The exact amount of this transaction fee is determined by your software vendor.

On the refills side, a billable transaction consists of when the pharmacy initiates a prescription renewal request to the prescriber (regardless of whether or not the prescriber responds to your request).  Refills attached to a new or renewed prescription do not incur a transaction fee.  If a prescriber denies a renewal request and sends the exact same prescription electronically as a new transaction, this could indicate a need for training at the practice.  We encourage you to report these types of issues directly to your software vendor.

A local physician practice that I do a lot of business with is implementing an EMR system. How do I know if it is capable of sending me e-prescriptions via the Surescripts network?

Surscripts has certified over 200 physician software systems so the chances are very good that the practice will be able to send you e-prescriptions once they are up and running.  A comprehensive listing of certified physician software can be found at the following link.

What advantages does e-prescribing via the Surescripts network offer my pharmacy?

E-prescribing via the Surescripts network gives you the ability to receive new prescriptions directly into your pharmacy computer. You and your staff can also send renewal authorization requests electronically to connected physicians in your area and receive the authorization or denial on your pharmacy computer. Less time spent on calls and faxes with physicians will give you and your staff more time for patient counseling and revenue-enhancing activities like medication therapy and inventory management.

At the end of 2009, more than 156,000 prescribers and 85% of community pharmacies were actively e-prescribing on the Surescripts network.

I’m already receiving prescriptions as faxes. How is this different than e-prescribing?

Unlike faxes, e-prescriptions arrive directly in the pharmacy's computer system so pharmacists and/or pharmacy technicians spend less time interpreting handwriting or re-keying information into their computer systems. Since the prescriber has better information available at the time of prescribing, there is a lower chance that a call back to the practice will be needed to clarify prescription information. E-prescribing enabled pharmacies can also send electronic refill requests to the practice for approval.

How many prescribers are e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?

At the end of 2009, more than 156,000 prescribers were actively e-prescribing on the Surescripts network. In addition, Surescripts is aggressively working to promote the benefits of a network connection to new prescribers. Doctors who wish to connect to the Surescripts network may find out more by calling 1-866-RxReady (866-797-3239).

How can I let physicians in my area know that I accept e-prescriptions via the Surescripts network?

Your pharmacy should automatically appear in the physician's e-prescribing system once you enable your connection to the Surescripts network.  To help you further promote your new e-prescribing capability, Surescripts has developed resources that connected, or soon to be connected pharmacies can use to promote the benefits of e-prescribing to local physicians. Click here to access these resources.

How many pharmacies are e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?

At the end of 2009, over 85% of community pharmacies (including nearly all chain pharmacies) in the U.S. were actively e-prescribing via the Surescripts network. More are connecting every day.

What specific transactions can I conduct electronically via the Surescripts network using my pharmacy computer?

Your connection to the Surescripts network enables you to:

• receive a new prescription directly into your pharmacy computer system
• send a request for prescription renewals
• receive the renewal approval or denial response from the prescriber

Why isn’t my pharmacy listed as e-prescribing enabled on your site?

To show up in the search results as a pharmacy capable of receiving e-prescriptions, your pharmacy must be able to receive e-prescriptions into your pharmacy computer rather than your fax machine. Contact your pharmacy software vendor to request this functionality which is commonly referred to as "EDI" or "Surescripts" capability.

An e-prescribing physician asked me for my EDI number. What does that mean?

The physician is asking for your NCPDP number. He or she likely wants to add your pharmacy into their e-prescribing application if you are capable of receiving e-prescriptions but not listed in their system.

How do I update my pharmacy name, address, phone or fax number in your system?

Contact your software vendor or Surescripts support at 1-866-RxReady.

I work for a chain pharmacy. How do I make sure prescription renewal requests are being sent electronically from our computer system to all connected prescribers in our area?

In order for a pharmacy to send a refill request electronically to a prescriber, the pharmacy must have the individual prescriber's SPI number matched correctly within their pharmacy management system.  If a prescriber contacts you stating that renewal requests from your store are arriving by fax, you likely need to update that prescriber's information in your database.  For a complete list of enabled prescribers and their SPI information please visit www.surescripts.com/spi.  Contact your chain headquarters' support desk to have the system updated to generate refill requests electronically to these prescribers.

Can compounding pharmacies, LTC pharmacies, and DME companies become enabled for e-prescribing?

In order for a pharmacy (or DME company) to be connected for e-prescribing you must be using a certified pharmacy management system.  Please visit http://www.surescripts.com/connect-to-surescripts/pharmacy-software.aspx to see if your system has already completed certification with Surescripts.  If you are already using a certified software system please contact your vendor for further information on enabling for e-prescribing.  If your software vendor is not yet certified please contact them directly regarding their plans to certify and allow their pharmacy customers to connect for e-prescribing.

Note: At this time prescriptions for Medicare Part B drugs cannot be transmitted electronically.

How are controlled substances handled?

Starting June 1, 2010, the DEA allows prescribers the option of issuing prescriptions for controlled medications electronically subject to requirements laid out in the DEA's Interim Final Rule (IFR) published in the March 31, 2010 issue of the Federal Register (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-6687.pdf).

Surescripts enthusiastically applauds this rule as a significant step toward improving the overall safety, security, and efficiency of the prescribing process and will work to support industry compliance with this rule, including allowing the transmission of controlled substances through the Surescripts network.

While we do not anticipate any insurmountable barriers to allowing controlled substances to be transmitted through the Surescripts network, it will require coordination among the nation's community pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, mail-order pharmacies, physician technology vendors, and pharmacy technology vendors.

If you are a prescriber who wishes to prescribe controlled substances electronically you must use electronic prescribing software that meets DEA requirements. Please ask your software vendor for documentation that confirms that your product has been certified to meet the DEA's requirements by SysTrust, WebTrust, SAS70, or other organizations sanctioned by the DEA to provide certification and audit services. The DEA Rule requires vendors to provide such documentation to their users upon request. This is also true of pharmacies that wish to receive and process these prescriptions.

If a prescriber is using software that is not able to submit prescriptions for controlled substances electronically according to the requirements in the DEA's IFR, a system message should inform the user that this medication cannot be transmitted this way and then offer alternatives to generate and submit the prescription in a manner that meets DEA requirements.

Surescripts conducted a special Webinar series to review the DEA's Final Rule for the electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS) and our plans to support industry compliance of this rule. Click here to learn more.

Why should our pharmacy participate in Surescripts’ Medication History service?

Providing medication history information supports prescribers in making critical decisions that affect patient health.  Sharing information strengthens the relationship between pharmacists and prescribers in the clinical process.  Medication history information can be used to identify potentially dangerous drug-drug and drug-allergy interactions.  Medication history information can provide feedback to prescribers about fill frequencies and compliance.  Medication history - as used in the prescribing process - empowers prescribers to make higher quality decisions about prescription choices that are then delivered to the pharmacy of the patient's choice.

How can Surescripts’ Personal Health Record (PHR) service benefit our pharmacy?

Efficiency and Scalability

• Provides connectivity to multiple PHR providers through Surescripts' secure network
• Leverages your existing connection to Surescripts' Medication History service
• Eliminates the need to develop your own connection to each individual PHR
• Provides access to leading identity protection solutions to help ensure the privacy of your customers' personal information

Stronger Customer Relationships

• Increases visibility of your organization
• Encourages customers to take a more active role in their medication management
• Increases visibility of your organization as a partner in your customers' management of their health care

Leading-Edge Involvement

• Establishes another point of differentiation between your organization and the competition
• Establishes a presence for your organization in a fast-growing area of health care

Support:

• Regular reporting to let you know how your customers are using the service
• Partnership to help you promote your involvement as a benefit to your customers