Over the past year, electronic prescribing for controlled substances (EPCS) has gained more attention for its potential use in curbing opioid use and overdose. Many states have already implemented their own EPCS mandates, usually designed to accompany state-wide prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs).
As of August 2019, nine states have EPCS deadlines approaching in the coming months. Here’s what you need to know.
Arizona
Arizona will begin to enforce an EPCS requirement on January 1, 2020. This mandate is paired with the state’s Controlled Substances Prescription Monitoring Program, and integration will be available September 1, 2019.
Under the 2018 Arizona Opioid Epidemic Act, a medical practitioner or a pharmacist must review the past 12 months of a patient’s PDMP record before prescribing or dispensing a schedule II controlled substance.
Florida
Florida will uniformly enforce an EPCS requirement on January 1, 2021. However, the EPCS mandate is already taking effect as prescribers’ licenses are renewed.
This mandate is paired with the Florida Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, or E-FORCSE® (Electronic-Florida Online Reporting of Controlled Substance Evaluation Program).
Iowa
Like Arizona, Iowa will begin to enforce an EPCS requirement on January 1, 2020. This mandate is paired with the state’s PDMP, known as IOWA PMP AWARxE.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts will begin to enforce an EPCS requirement on January 1, 2020. This accompanies the state’s PDMP, called the Massachusetts Prescription Awareness Tool (MassPAT).
The state requires prescribers to use MassPAT before issuing a prescription for any benzodiazepine or schedule II or III narcotic drug.
North Carolina
North Carolina will begin to enforce an EPCS requirement on January 1, 2020. This will accompany the state’s PDMP tool, known as the NC Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS).
Oklahoma
Oklahoma will begin to enforce an EPCS requirement on January 1, 2020. This accompanies the state’s PDMP, the Oklahoma Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).
Oklahoma state law requires all dispensers of Schedule II, III, IV, and V controlled substances to submit prescription dispensing information to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control through the PMP within 24 hours of dispensing a scheduled narcotic.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania will begin to enforce an EPCS requirement on October 24, 2019. The Pennsylvania PDMP is integrating with the electronic health records (EHRs) and pharmacy management systems of all eligible healthcare entities in the state.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island will begin to enforce an EPCS requirement on January 1, 2020. This mandate will work with the existing Rhode Island PDMP.
Tennessee
Tennessee will begin to enforce an EPCS requirement on January 1, 2020. This mandate will work with the existing Tennessee PDMP, known as the Controlled Substance Monitoring Database Program.
Prepare for state EPCS requirements
Is your state affected by these changes? Make sure your EHR system allows for e-prescribing so you can continue to offer appropriate, high-quality care for your behavioral health patients while remaining compliant with state, federal, and private mandates.
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.