FAQs - Pharmacies and Pharmacists
How do I enable my pharmacy for e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?
How do I know if my software is certified, and what does that mean?
What will this cost me?
What advantages does e-prescribing via the Surescripts network offer my pharmacy?
I’m already receiving prescriptions as faxes. How is this different than e-prescribing?
How many physicians are e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?
How can I
let physicians in my area
know that I can accept
e-prescriptions via the Surescripts network?
How many pharmacies are e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?
What specific transactions can I conduct electronically via the Surescripts network
using my pharmacy computer?
Why isn’t my pharmacy listed as e-prescribing enabled on your site?
A physician asked me for my EDI number. What does that mean?
How do I update my pharmacy name, address, phone or fax number in your system?
How do I enable my pharmacy for e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?
If your pharmacy management system is certified to connect to the Surescripts network (formerly the Pharmacy Health Information Exchange, operated by Surescripts-RxHub), you simply contact your pharmacy software vendor and ask them to enable your e-prescribing functionality.
Pharmacies should ask their vendor:
If any patches or upgrades to their system are required.
If any amendments to their contract are needed to cover transaction fees
What training is provided to get accustomed to the new or upgraded system
How do I know if my software is certified, and what does that mean?
Surescripts does not develop, sell or endorse e-prescribing software but instead works with existing vendors to certify their technologies to connect to the Surescripts network. This process ensures that electronic prescribing solutions are able to send and receive supported electronic messages and that the solution is providing open choice for medication selection and dispensing location. Additionally, the process ensures that the technology systems work in accordance with industry-accepted standards for the electronic exchange of prescription data between physicians and pharmacies. A complete list of certified pharmacy software systems can be found at the following link. If your pharmacy software is on this list and you are not yet enabled for e-prescribing, contact your vendor to request the e-prescribing functionality.
What will this cost me?
Your pharmacy will pay a set cost per transaction to your technology vendor for each
prescription renewal request you send or new prescription you receive over the Surescripts
network.
Surescripts receives a portion of these fees from your technology vendor
to cover its costs - you are not billed by Surescripts. Please ask your pharmacy technology
vendor what these charges will be and how you would be billed.
Unlike online claims
processing fees, you won't pay transaction fees for every prescription you dispense, only
for prescriptions received or renewal requests sent over the Surescripts network. Refills
attached to a new or renewed prescription do not incur a transaction fee.
What advantages does e-prescribing via the Surescripts network offer my pharmacy?
E-prescribing via the Surescripts network gives you the ability to receive new prescriptions directly into your pharmacy computer. You and your staff can also send renewal authorization requests electronically to connected physicians in your area and receive the authorization or denial on your pharmacy computer. Less time spent on calls and faxes with physicians will give you and your staff more time for patient counseling and revenue-enhancing activities like medication therapy and inventory management.
Benefits include:
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Improved
Efficiency The number of hours spent on calls and faxes regarding renewal authorizations and prescription clarifications are reduced. |
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Enhanced Productivity Fewer calls and faxes mean more time for patient counseling and other revenue-producing activities. |
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Increased Safety With the potential to reduce prescription errors due to hard-to-read prescriptions and medications with similar-sounding names. |
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Protection of Your Interests and Those of Your Patients Surescripts is a neutral channel, allowing patients to have their prescriptions filled at their pharmacy of choice. |
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Prescriber Utilization
More than 90,000 prescribers are actively e-prescribing on the Surescripts network. |
I’m already receiving prescriptions as faxes. How is this different than e-prescribing?
Unlike faxes, e-prescriptions arrive directly in the pharmacy’s computer system so pharmacists and/or pharmacy technicians spend less time interpreting handwriting or re-keying information into their computer systems. Since the prescriber has better information available at the time of prescribing, there is a lower chance that a call back to the practice will be needed to clarify prescription information. E-prescribing enabled pharmacies can also send electronic refill requests to the practice for approval.
How many prescribers are e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?
More than 90,000 prescribers are actively e-prescribing on the Surescripts network. In addition, Surescripts is aggressively working to promote the benefits of a network connection to new prescribers. Doctors who wish to connect to the Surescripts network may find out more by calling 1-866-RxReady (866-797-3239).
How can I let physicians in my area know that I accept e-prescriptions via the Surescripts network?
Surescripts has developed resources that connected, or soon to be connected pharmacies can use to promote the benefits of e-prescribing to local physicians. Please contact the Electronic Prescribing Resource Center at 1-866-RxReady for more information about these resources or access them online.
How many pharmacies are e-prescribing via the Surescripts network?
Over 75% of community pharmacies (including nearly all chain pharmacies) in the U.S. are accepting e-prescriptions, and more are connecting every day.
What specific transactions can I conduct electronically via the Surescripts network using my pharmacy computer?
Your connection to the Surescripts network enables you to:
receive a new prescription directly into your pharmacy computer system
send a request for prescription renewals
receive the renewal approval or denial response from the prescriber
Why isn’t my pharmacy listed as e-prescribing enabled on your site?
To show up in the search results as a pharmacy capable of receiving e-prescriptions, your pharmacy must be able to receive e-prescriptions into your pharmacy computer rather than your fax machine. Contact your pharmacy software vendor to request this functionality which is commonly referred to as “EDI” or “Surescripts” capability.
An e-prescribing physician asked me for my EDI number. What does that mean?
The physician is asking for your NCPDP number. He or she likely wants to add your pharmacy into their e-prescribing application if you are capable of receiving e-prescriptions but not listed in their system.
How do I update my pharmacy name, address, phone or fax number in your system?
Contact the Electronic Prescribing Resource Center at 1-866-RxReady.
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