Electronic prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS) has gained popularity as a method to better track and reduce fraud and misuse of medications. Many states have implemented their own EPCS mandates, while the federal government and private organizations have also joined the effort.
Federal Legislation and Requirements for EPCS
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) authorized the use of EPCS in 2010 and established specific standards for EPCS systems used by providers, pharmacies, and health IT vendors. To be DEA-compliant, an EPCS system must include:
- Certification of the EHR/e-prescribing application
- Identity proofing to confirm a provider’s authorization to prescribe controlled substances
- Two-step logical access control to provide permissions to approved prescribers
- Two-factor authentication for providers signing EPCS prescriptions
- Comprehensive reporting to demonstrate compliance and identify auditable events and security issues
In October 2017, EPCS was highlighted as part of a national strategy to address public health concerns. In 2018, the SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Act mandated the use of EPCS for all controlled substances under Medicare Part D by January 1, 2021.
Individual State EPCS Mandates
Given the effectiveness of EPCS in reducing fraud, many states have introduced their own mandates. New York led the way with an EPCS mandate in 2016, followed by other states such as:
- Pennsylvania, with a deadline of October 24, 2019
- Arizona, Iowa, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Rhode Island, all requiring EPCS by January 1, 2020
California enacted a law in 2018 requiring electronic prescribing for all medications, not just controlled substances, effective January 1, 2022.
Many state EPCS mandates complement prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), which track controlled prescriptions dispensed by pharmacies. PDMPs provide data to identify unusual patterns in medication use and support safer prescribing practices.
Pharmacy and Private Company EPCS Requirements
Pharmacies and private organizations have also adopted EPCS requirements. For example:
- Walmart pharmacies no longer accept paper prescriptions for controlled substances as of January 1, 2020.
- McKesson Corporation, a major pharmaceutical distributor, requires customers to transition to EPCS and works with them to facilitate the process.
Health IT solutions developer DrFirst, a partner of BestNotes EHR, has updated its e-medication management platform. Rcopia4, available since 2016, includes features such as an integrated workflow for writing prescriptions and checking PDMPs. Users must transition to Rcopia4, as its predecessor Rcopia3 was discontinued on January 1, 2020.
Using EPCS with your EHR
Don’t fall behind in the evolving regulatory landscape. Ensure your EHR system supports e-prescribing to maintain compliance with state, federal, and private mandates while delivering high-quality care to your patients.
BestNotes EHR and CRM solutions are tailored specifically for mental health and addiction treatment providers, with e-prescribing and other medication management options. Contact us today to learn more.