What You Need to Know About e-Prescribing

Electronic prescribing, or e-Prescribing, is when your doctor enters information about drugs you may need into a computer program. This electronic prescription is sent over a secure network to the pharmacy that you choose. The pharmacy receives the prescription and can begin filling it right away.

Benefits of e-Prescribing

• E-Prescribing is free.
• Your doctor can see a list of all of the medications that you take. The computer program can warn him or her about possible drug allergies or bad drug interactions.
• Medical mistakes sometimes happen when a pharmacist cannot read the handwriting on a prescription. Using a computer will make a prescription easier to read and reduce mistakes.
• E-Prescriptions are sent to the pharmacy by way of a computer. This means there will be fewer phone calls or faxes to the pharmacy.
• A convenience to you. An e-Prescription goes directly to the pharmacy so that you do not need to drop it off and wait while it is filled.
• Your doctor can enter your insurance information into the e-Prescription system. This will make it easier for the doctor to prescribe a drug that is covered by your insurance.

Ask your physician if their practice has the ability to e-prescribe.

This information is made available by the Health Information Security and Privacy Collaboration (HISPC) a contract managed by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC).