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SOME QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A VENDOR FOR
ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION WRITING TECHNOLOGY
The selected technology vendor should be able to discuss and answer these questions.
Security and Regulations:
• How does this technology address and ensure patient confidentiality, data security, and the pending
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
regulations?_______________________________
• Where is the data warehoused? Central server
Office computer
Local server
• Who has access to patient data and in what way can it be used?
_________________________________
• How does this technology address the pharmacy and medical prescription regulations, including those
for controlled substances?
_________________________________________________________________
Drug Benefit Information
• How does this technology match patients to their formularies and other drug benefits?
Plan Name
Group #
Member #
Other________________________________
• How does this technology electronically transmit prescriptions to patients’ pharmacy of choice?
Pre-loaded fax # Manual-add fax #
EDI
Other________________________________
• Does this technology have prescription benefit information for the majority of area patients?
Which ones________________________________________________________
Information from public sources_______________________________________
Information directly from health plan___________________________________
•
•
How does this technology check formulary information and plan design? Local/vendor system
information updated quarterly
More often
Accesses plan’s system information realtime
What systems does the prescription writer integrate with and what additional functionality will be
offered? For example: Charge capture, patient lab data,
etc______________________________________
Cost and Support
•
What is the cost of the system including: monthly fees_________ installation__________
cost of connections_______ printers_______ , annual maintenance/licensing fees ________,
hardware or software rental_____________, other ___________________
• If the system is provided at no charge, what is required of the practice to maintain the system?
Minimum usage__________ Other___________________
• Who owns the hardware, will it be upgraded, and if so, how frequently and at what cost?
____________
• Who supports the hardware and software and at what cost? ___________________________________
• How long is the training to use the system?
________________________________________________
• What services are provided for ongoing support for the systems?_______________________________
• What are the customer service hours and services
provisions?__________________________________
Additional resources for electronic prescribing
1. Elson B. Electronic prescribing in ambulatory care: A market primer and implications for managed
care pharmacy. Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy. 2001;7:115–120.
2. EC Media Group. Case study: An ASP enables a slow approach. Health Data Management. 2001:1–
4.
3. Chesanow N. Put a computer in your pocket. Medical Economics. 2000:1–28.
4. The following websites:
§ www.nationalacademies.org—The National Academies
§
§
www.nap.edu—The National Academy Press
www.ahrq—The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
Vendors - technology supplier websites, including new Rx routing to home delivery:
Allscripts, www.allscripts.com
ProxyMed, www.proxymed.com
NaviMedix, www.navimedix.com
Vendors who provide eligibility, formulary, and medication history:
PocketScript www.pocketscript.com
RxNT www.Rxnt.com
Dr. First www.drfirst.com
NextGen www.nextgen.com
Healthvision www.healthvision.com