ePrescribing Frequently Asked Questions
What is electronic prescribing (ePrescribing)?
With ePrescribing health care providers can enter prescriptions into a tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or other device using a secure ePrescribing enabled software program and electronically transmit ePrescriptions to pharmacies through a secure ePrescribing enabled network.
What are the benefits and advantages of ePrescribing?
ePrescribing reduces prescribing errors, increases efficiency, increases patient medication adherence, and saves on health care costs per a study by Marshall University as published on the at U.S. Library of Medicine’s website. Patient safety is enhanced by using ePrescribing software that can screen for dosing accuracy, drug-drug interactions, and drug allergies as well as alert providers to generic equivalents and formulary preferences. In addition, ePrescribing helps in the fight against the opioid epidemic and prescription fraud.
Who is required to ePrescribe and when?
Prescribing health care practitioners that use electronic health record (EHR) systems were required by Chapter 2019-112, Florida Statute (HB 831) to participate in ePrescribing by their license renewal date after January 1, 2020 or July 1, 2021 whichever was first. There were also requirements for Medicare Part D providers to ePrescribe by January 1, 2021.
Are prescriptions for controlled substances exempt from the ePrescribing requirement?
No. The new Florida law does not exclude prescriptions for controlled substances. If you use an electronic health record system (EHR) you must prescribe all medications electronically, including the ePrescribing of controlled substances (EPCS).
Are prescriptions for controlled substances exempt from the ePrescribing requirement?
Florida law does not exclude ePrescriptions for controlled substances.
What are the requirements for transmitting an EPCS?
The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) explains aspects of the DEA EPCS rule in their FAQs.
