Providers hold back on e-prescribing

YARMOUTH, Maine - There's a lot of runway for the adoption of e-prescribing, according to a recent HME Newspoll.

Only 17% of the respondents to the poll reported that they currently use an e-prescribing solution from Parachute Health, GoScripts, DMEhub or another vendor, saying prescribers need to lead the charge.

“The adoption by the prescribers and their staff is not there yet,” wrote one respondent.

During a recent meeting, industry stakeholders, including providers, tried to convey to a CMS contractor that the agency needs to provide some kind of incentive to prescribers to adopt e-prescribing.

Short of that happening, one thing that would sway more providers to adopt e-prescribing: if CMS would make better use of the e-templates with clinical data elements (CDEs) that it has developed for various product categories. Stakeholders are pushing CMS to take the stance that, if an e-prescribing platform adopts CDEs, it meets compliance requirements.

“If all (the e-prescribing solution) handles is an Rx, it's not terribly helpful as most of our manpower is spent on getting office notes the way Medicare wants them,” wrote one respondent. “Once a template system is in place and widespread, we'll jump on board.”

Another respondent agreed, summing up their position with: “Not until templates are approved by CMS.”

Still, 2020 could be a big year for the adoption of e-prescribing. Of those respondents who don't currently use an e-prescribing solution, 46% say they plan to do so this year.

“The expense was higher than I was willing to pay, but now the convenience and not having to chase down paperwork is becoming more important,” wrote on respondent.

Another respondent agreed, writing: “Planning on implementing one in Q2.”