NY doctors scramble to adopt e-prescribing to combat abuse, fraud

New York-Physicians in New York state have put away their pen and paper method of prescribing in exchange for electronic scripts-many just in time to meet the state requirement.

The number of New York providers set up for electronic prescribing of controlled substances (EPCS) increased by 28% since March 1, according to Surescripts data reported by Business Wire.

 

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The shift comes following the Internet System for Tracking Over Prescribing (I-Stop) mandate that aims to tackle prescription abuse and fraud. The law, which took effect on March 27, establishes New York as the first state to require electronic prescribing of all medications, and it slaps prescribers with penalties if they don't comply.

Minnesota requires e-prescribing, but it doesn't penalize providers who don’t e-prescribe.

For providers without a waiver for e-prescribing, possible penalties include fines or professional discipline, a New York State Department of Health spokesperson said.

So far, the Department has issued about 4,400 waivers, representing approximately 17,300 prescribers.

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The law's original implementation date of March 27, 2015 had to be extended because vendors weren't in compliance with Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) requirements for electronic prescriptions of controlled substances (EPCS), says Joseph Maldonado, MD, president of the Medical Society of the State of New York.

In addition to using software that follows the federal requirements - whether a third party audit or DEA certification - EPCS prescribers also have to adhere to an identity proofing process as well as a two-factor authentication. That EPCS software also must be registered with the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement.

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