As telemedicine grows, so does the use of electronic prescribing (e-prescribe). Electronic prescribing became popular at the turn of the 21st century as computer-based work became increasingly normalized. Methods of e-prescribing can differ amongst the states, with some favoring large-scale tracking and others only for certain classes of medication.
Currently, 35 states in total have passed electronic prescribing mandates. It is approximated that 75 percent of the population resides in states with e-prescribe requirements of some degree. In 2022 states such as IN, NE, NH, WA & UT passed legislation requiring all controlled substances to be prescribed through e-prescribing software. IL will enforce its e-prescribe mandate for all controlled substances in 2023. While most states require electronic prescribing to be utilized for controlled substances only, seven states desire all prescriptions to be prescribed by electronic means, including CA, DE, FL, IA, MN, and NY. MI will be the seventh state once its mandate becomes effective on January 1st, 2023.
Benefits of prescribing electronically generally include:
- Cost savings – No need to mail prescription orders.
- Convenience – Script being sent to pharmacy directly provides patient with the option of picking up or have medication shipped to them.
- Safety – Tracking prescriptions in a database, particularly controlled substances, helps prevent the risk of abuse or misuse.
- Workflow – Prescribers sending prescriptions to the pharmacy directly by digital software, allows both pharmacy and prescriber to save time.
- Medication Adherence – Multiple studies indicate that e-prescribe methods improve patient adherence as prescribers and pharmacists are better equipped to re-fill prescriptions and track medication history.
States not requiring e-prescribing consist of: AK, AL, GA, HI, ID, LA, MS, MT, ND, OR, SD, VT, WI, and WV. Reasons for withholding requirements for e-prescribing vary in each state. Practitioners’ preference for written prescriptions, limited access to internet in rural areas, concerns over data safety, and legislative prioritization of the issue are some of the more common reasons for lagging e-prescribe mandates.
As 2023 approaches, more states will likely add or consider e-prescribe requirements. In places where e-prescribe mandates exist, enhancing standing requirements is a rising trend as popularity grows for more classes of medicine to be prescribed electronically. To view your states e-prescribe constraints, see the list below.
E-Prescribe Requirements by State as of December 2022:
AL – No mandate.
AK – No Mandate.
AZ – Currently requires for some controlled substances (schedule II opioids).
AR – Required for all controlled substances.
CA – Required for ALL prescriptions.
CO – Currently requires for some controlled substances (schedule II – IV).
CT - Required for all controlled substances.
DE- Required for ALL prescriptions.
FL - Required for ALL prescriptions.
GA - No mandate.
HI - No mandate.
ID - No mandate.
IL - Required for all controlled substances. (2023)
IN - Required for all controlled substances.
IA - Required for ALL prescriptions.
KS - Currently requires for some controlled substances (opiates).
KY - Required for all controlled substances.
LA - No mandate.
ME - Currently requires for some controlled substances (opiates).
MD - Required for some controlled substances (schedule II). (2023)
MA - Required for all controlled substances.
MI - Required for ALL prescriptions. (2023)
MN - Required for ALL prescriptions.
MS – No Mandate.
MO - Required for all controlled substances.
MT - No mandate.
NE - Required for all controlled substances.
NV - Required for all controlled substances.
NH - Required for all controlled substances.
NJ – Electronic Health Protocols in place.
NM - Required for all controlled substances.
NY - Required for ALL prescriptions.
NC - Currently requires for some controlled substances (schedule II & III).
ND – No Mandate.
OH – Currently requires for some controlled substances (schedule II).
OK - Required for all controlled substances.
OR – No Mandate.
PA - Required for all controlled substances.
RI - Required for all controlled substances.
SC - Required for all controlled substances.
SD – No Mandate.
TN - Required for all controlled substances.
TX - Required for all controlled substances.
UT - Required for all controlled substances.
VT – No Mandate.
VA - Currently requires for some controlled substances (opiates).
WA - Required for all controlled substances.
WV – No Mandate.
WI – No Mandate.
WY - Required for all controlled substances.
