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What is Surescripts certification?

To utilize the Surescripts network, a prescriber, pharmacy and PBM must use software that has completed the Surescripts certification process. This process validates that the software is able to send and receive electronic messages in accordance with industry standards and that it is providing open choice for medication selection and dispensing location.

Surescripts certifies software used by prescribers, pharmacies and payers/PBMs for access to three main services: Prescription Benefit, Medication History and Prescription Routing. Starting in 2009, Surescripts also introduced a Clinical Messaging service, allowing clinical information to be exchanged between healthcare clinics and physicians.

Certification concentrates on message format and workflow. The software vendor seeking certification is responsible for modifying/building the electronic prescribing application in accordance with the Surescripts Implementation Guides (based on the NCPDP SCRIPT Standard) and qualitative requirements. Surescripts provides documentation and testing tools for the software vendor and conducts certification to ensure all the requirements are met. The software vendor is responsible for development, testing, and QA of its application.

I am interested in certifying my software system to connect to Surescripts for e-prescribing. What do I need to do to begin this process?

Please complete the following form to initiate this process.  Be sure to complete all fields or the form cannot be submitted.  Once this has been received a Surescripts representative will follow-up with you regarding next steps.

I am an EMR company that is interested in allowing my users to enable for e-prescribing but I don’t want to build out my own application. What are my options?

There are a few standalone e-prescribing systems that work with existing EMR companies to integrate their products to allow for e-prescribing functionality via the Surescripts network.  You can perform a search for certified standalone e-prescribing software systems here.

How much will it cost to certify my software system with Surescripts?

Surescripts does not currently charge for certification.  There are fees associated with Surescripts Implementation Services.  Contact your Alliances team representative or e-mail alliances@surescripts.com for more information.

How long will it take to certify my system with Surescripts?

On average it can take a vendor 3-6 months to complete certification, however, Surescripts cannot estimate how long it will take an individual vendor to complete certification as it is dependent on the individual time and resources the vendor is able to put behind their own certification.

What are the various services available through Surescripts certification?

Vendors can certify for Prescription Routing, Medication History and Prescription Benefit services. Click here for more information on these services.

What is a Surescripts Solution Provider/Gold Solution Provider?

Surescripts has three levels of certification associated with physician software vendors:

1) Surescripts certified: product has been certified for select message types associated with benefit, history and routing services

2) Surescripts Solution Provider: product has been certified software for all message types associated with benefit, history and routing services designed for ambulatory settings

3) Gold Solution Provider status recognizes physician technology vendors that are advancing electronic prescribing and healthcare interoperability with customers in the United States. This certification is designed to recognize physician technology vendors' products that leverage the complete resources and capabilities of Surescripts and its network to improve the safety, efficiency and quality of the prescribing process.

These levels are designed to draw a greater distinction between vendors that have certified their software for select message types or perhaps one or two services, and vendors that have certified software for all message types associated with benefit, history and routing services designed for ambulatory settings.

By highlighting this distinction, we are underscoring the importance of all three services and recognizing those vendors that are delivering the full benefits of e-prescribing to their customers.