E-prescribing, also known as electronic prescribing, is the computer-based electronic generation, transmission, and filling of a medical prescription, replacing traditional paper-based methods. It streamlines the prescribing process by allowing healthcare providers to electronically send prescriptions to pharmacies directly from their electronic health record (EHR) systems.
An electronic health record (EHR) is a digital version of a patient’s paper chart, containing comprehensive health information about a patient, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, treatment plans, immunization dates, allergies, radiology images, and laboratory test results.
A pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) is a third-party administrator of prescription drug programs for health insurance plans, self-insured employers, and other organizations. PBMs process and pay prescription drug claims, negotiate discounts and rebates with drug manufacturers and manage formularies.
A formulary is a list of prescription drugs covered by a health insurance plan or managed by a pharmacy benefit manager. Formularies typically categorize drugs into tiers, determining the level of coverage and cost-sharing for patients.
Medication adherence refers to the extent to which patients follow their prescribed medication regimen accurately and consistently. E-prescribing can improve medication adherence by reducing prescription errors, enhancing communication between healthcare providers and patients, and facilitating medication refills.
Clinical decision support (CDS) provides clinicians with patient-specific information, guidelines, and reminders to assist in clinical decision-making. In E-Prescribing systems, CDS functionalities can alert prescribers about potential drug interactions, allergies, dosage errors, and formulary restrictions.
Meaningful Use is a set of standards and criteria established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to promote the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) and other health information technology (HIT). E-prescribing is a component of Meaningful Use objectives aimed at improving healthcare quality, safety, and efficiency.
Electronic prior authorization (ePA) is the electronic process used to obtain approval from insurance providers or pharmacy benefit managers before prescribing certain medications. E-prescribing systems with integrated ePA functionality can expedite the prior authorization process, reducing administrative burdens for healthcare providers.
A health information exchange (HIE) is a secure electronic system that enables the sharing of patient health information among different healthcare organizations, including hospitals, clinics, pharmacies, and laboratories. E-prescribing systems can benefit from HIE integration by facilitating access to comprehensive patient medication histories and improving care coordination.
Telemedicine refers to the remote delivery of healthcare services using telecommunications technology. E-prescribing plays a crucial role in telemedicine by enabling healthcare providers to electronically send prescriptions to pharmacies, allowing patients to receive medications without visiting a physical clinic or pharmacy.