Rates Lowered for Electronic Prescriptions
Surescripts electronic prescriptions implemented an overall rate reduction for their services in January of this year. The reduction is an attempt to encourage smaller pharmacies and physician groups to use electronic prescription services. The drop is estimated at a 10-15% reduction for smaller independent pharmacies. The amount of the decrease varies slightly depending on the type of software that is being used.
The service is already free for physicians and other prescribers but the company estimates that fewer than 25% of small offices make use of electronic prescriptions. Larger companies with in house IT departments have already made the switch but the majority of prescriptions are written by independent physicians and staffs.
A study of Walgreens pharmacies showed that prescription fill rates increased 11% with the implementation of e-prescriptions. Pharmacists have also reported fewer calls required to physicians to verify prescriptions or refills.