Windsor and e-Prescribing
Increasing the security and accuracy of the prescribing process
Windsor Health Plan (WHP) uses many methods to reduce potential medication errors and safety issues. As of April 1, 2009, WHP has selected SureScripts® to work with in supporting your doctor and pharmacy with the ability to e-prescribe. SureScripts® operates the largest network of electronic communications between pharmacies and physicians, which allows the electronic exchange of prescription information. This system is available to all Windsor prescribers and network pharmacies. There is no cost for transactions that WHP prescribers send as long as they have an appropriate Electronic Medical Record System or e-prescribing system.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is electronic prescribing and how does it work?
E-prescribing is an electronic way for your doctor to send and receive information from the pharmacy without faxing, calling or writing paper-based prescriptions. All controlled substance medications still require a handwritten prescription. The security and accuracy of the prescribing process is greatly increased because the chance of miscommunication and error is reduced. The most common errors seen in paper, voice or fax-based prescriptions are hard-to-read handwriting, blurry faxes or sound-alike issues. E-prescribing technology use allows your doctor to review your medication history and determine what medications are on WHP’s formulary.
Our e-prescribing system is broken down into five major transaction types:
- E-prescribing of new prescriptions – prescription information is prepared using a prescribing application and is sent directly to the computer at the pharmacy through a secure network (like the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange).
- E-refills - refill requests are sent to your doctor's prescribing application by the pharmacy without using fax or phone.
- Eligibility check - allows your doctor to electronically check what you are eligible for and what formulary code is attached to your plan.
- Formulary download - allows WHP to provide formulary information for your doctor to download when needed.
- Medication history transaction - allows your doctor to electronically retrieve your medication therapy from the WHP or your retail pharmacy. Safeguards are in place to block all sensitive drug information.
- Are e-prescribing and an automated electronic fax to the pharmacy the same thing?
No, although the ability to send an electronic fax can be more accurate than a paper prescription, pharmacies must still manually key in information received over the fax machine, which can lead to error. Faxes can also experience transmission problems that can blur or make text difficult to read. Fax technology also does not allow the pharmacy to send messages back to your doctor. E-prescribing provides two-way communication allowing your pharmacy and doctor to send clarifying questions, changes, or comments. Although all efforts to reduce medication errors are a good start, it is only a stepping stone to the total acceptance of e-prescribing.
- Why should YOU encourage your doctor and pharmacy to participate in e-prescribing?
There are seven major reasons you should encourage your doctor and pharmacy to join in the e-prescribing revolution:
- Increased safety: The Institute of Medicine projects that at least 1.5 million Americans are sickened, injured or killed each year by medication errors. E-prescribing reduces potential errors due to misread prescriptions or medications with similar sounding names. Systems also ensure the accuracy of prescriptions by electronically checking for harmful interactions.
- Increased efficiency: Time spent phoning and faxing to clarify prescriptions and authorize renewal requests is minimized. Your doctor and pharmacist will have more time to counsel you regarding your medications. Your pharmacy can send back clarifying questions or changes because e-prescribing allows for two-way communication.
- Increased formulary adherence: Allows your doctor to view Windsor’s formularies at the point of prescribing to assure minimal impact on the patient at the point of filling. Formulary updates are done in real time.
- Improved role for your doctor in medication therapy: Allows your doctor to access the information that will assist making decisions and providing health information resources at the point of care. The information available includes medication histories for medication therapy management.
- Increased your doctor’s understanding of your pharmacy benefit: Allows confirmation of eligibility, copays, deductibles, covered pharmacies and patient drug histories.
- Increases your doctor’s convenience: Renewal requests can be reviewed and responded to in much less time than with phone or fax. New prescriptions are sent directly to your pharmacy’s computer, quickly, accurately and securely. Fewer requests are made to your doctor for clarifications.
- Improved patient satisfaction: Through rapid, streamlined prescription filling with fewer errors and less time spent tracking down drug utilizations issues.
- Has CMS mandated the use of e-prescribing for Medicare members?
No, CMS does not require your doctor to use e-prescribing. Those that do participate are required to follow the NCPDP guidelines for the transaction sets.
- Do you pay for e-prescribing?
No, you do not pay for e-prescribing. Additionally, your doctor does not pay any transaction charges, but they need to have a certified e-prescribing system to connect to a network that connects them your pharmacy computer. Some of these are paid and installed by the plan or state or federal agencies, but most are built into their Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. Standalone electronic prescribing systems are also available. In most cases it is an extra charge to have these features added into the EMR system.
We would like for you to encourage your doctor and pharmacist to participate in Electronic Prescribing.
For more information:
Pharmacies call 866-930-7597, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day
Prescribers call 800-264-1587, Monday through Friday, 7am – 5pm (CST)
