ePrescribing mandates started with controlled substances, but most expect that to change over the next decade to require ePrescriptions for all medications, including controlled substances, and expand who the requirements apply to. In fact, at the start of 2023, the federal government will require ePrescribing for controlled substances for government medical programs, and about a handful of states have made that move as well. Even without the mandates, there’s a strong argument to be made for making the switch early, even for dentists.
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More than a decade ago, Minnesota became the first state to require electronic prescriptions for controlled substances (EPCS). It took another 5 years before New York followed in 2016, when they required both dentists and doctors to ePrescribe all medications - both controlled and non-controlled substances. In 2019, more states started mandating EPCS and, for many dentists, this was the first time they were exposed to ePrescription software.
For physicians, early adoption of ePrescribing made sense, given the volume and variety of prescriptions they write. For dentists, who prescribe less often, steps to make the switch typically aren't made until a mandate comes along.
Now, all but 11 states have enacted or proposed laws requiring electronic prescriptions for some or all medications. That means that dentists who were not in the habit of electronically prescribing had to get on board quickly. What they may not have expected is that the advantages of ePrescribing for dental practices outweigh the regulatory hurdles.
One of the primary obstacles to early adoption for dentists was the technology itself. From ePrescribing software and its early limitations, especially when it came to integrations, to its potential learning curve and cost, there was, understandably, a lot of reluctance.
These programs, though robust, were complex. 5-6 years ago, the streamlined workflow we see today was a minefield of administrative tasks that tied up resources. In short, the advantages boasted by ePrescription software then, and now, were weighed down by equally bulky and time-consuming requirements.
Further, given the ever-evolving nature of regulations and laws, from HIPAA to EPCS mandates, keeping up with that aspect of the software was a full-time job. That meant the market was soon flooded with third-party vendors offering EPCS software for dentists and finding the right software to meet practice needs was difficult.
Thankfully, that early competition means that now, the leading ePrescription software in the marketplace is capable of integrating with your practice management software, doesn’t include a steep learning curve (in fact it comes with unprecedented support), and can save your practice money while helping you provide better, highly secure, and more convenient care.
All of those are amazing benefits but, if you’ll pardon the pun, let’s drill down a bit more. When it comes to your patients, they experience:
For dentists and dental practices it means:
Many of the benefits provided by ePrescribing software also free up your staff so they can focus on patient care and the kind of customer service that keeps patients coming back. Given the staffing shortages, dentists and dental practice managers need to use every tool available to continue to provide the level of service and care their patients need.
With those benefits, it may be easier to ask why dentists should not ePrescribe. There’s still more to consider for your practice, from day-to-day issues to practice management.
If you’re wondering what you’ve been waiting for and are ready to explore how ePrescribing can revolutionize your dental practice or dental service organization, book a demo with the iCoreConnect team today. You’ll see firsthand how iCoreRx by iCoreConnect gives you the security, flexibility, and expediency you want and need.