Help Center4D EMR integrates with DrFirst to provide electronic prescription services. Each Physician Provider subscription includes one e-Prescribe controlled substances (EPCS) account.
"Level II" providers requiring independent signing privileges for ePrescribe controlled substance (EPCS) accounts will be billed $50 per month with a minimum required subscription of 8 months. Surgeons or doctors.
Practice staff may be designated as Agents and be provided permission to queue controlled substance prescriptions for provider approval and send or queue non-controlled prescriptions to pharmacies.
To comply with Federal regulations, industry standards and ensure e-prescribing services are only accessed by appropriate users, each provider enrolling for e-prescribe for controlled substances (EPCS) is required to go through an online identity proofing process. 4D EMR has no control over the e-prescribe registration and/or identity proofing process.
Please note, the steps 3 and 4 of below described verification process can only be completed by the provider who is requesting to set up e-Prescribing. 4D EMR or practice staff cannot complete the verification process on a provider’s behalf.
e-Prescribe setup and provider identity proofing and LAC (logical access control) process
- Provider completes 4D EMR ePrescribe Setup Information Form.
- 4D EMR will submit provider and practice information to Dr. First for initial validation of credentials and account setup.
- 4D EMR will trigger an email from the Dr. First system to the provider that will enable the provider to complete the identity proofing requirement within the Dr. First system.
- Practice provider must complete the identity proofing process (Identity proofing instructions link).
- The provider and an authorized staff member designated as the "Admin" for the practice Dr. First account must complete the LAC (logical access control) step. Both provider and staff member must be physically present with each other to complete this step.
DrFirst will send a key fob token generator (see below image) via USPS registered mail. DrFirst considers confirmation of delivery as proof that the practice received the device and will not send replacement fobs without charging a replacement fee. Please be sure to secure this device.
Please Note:
ePrescribe service may become inaccessible due to system outages, loss of credentials and/or token generators (key fobs), or for other reasons. It is important that providers maintain alternative methods to prescribe controlled substances to minimize risk to patients.
Outages
System outages are extremely infrequent and unlikely, however, they are beyond control of providers and 4D EMR.
Lost Credentials/Access Issues
Recovering lost credentials or replacing hard token (key fobs) can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours to several days and may require repeating the identity proofing process.
Alternative Prescription Methods
Practices should be familiar with specific state laws and conventions for providing alternative prescription orders to pharmacies, including:
- Paper prescription: Use a prescription pad to issue a physical script. For controlled substances, some states require specific tamper-resistant pads.
- Phone call: Verbally call the prescription into the pharmacy. Be prepared to verify your identity. The pharmacist may need to call the office back to confirm legitimacy.
- Fax: Send a faxed prescription. Pharmacies typically require confirmation from the prescribing office to ensure the fax is authentic
Actions taken during the outages/loss of access should be documented in the patient's chart. Include the following:
- The date and time/duration of the outage/loss of credentials access.
- The reason a paper, phone, or fax prescription was used.
- The method of communication with the pharmacy.
- The fact that the e-prescribing system was offline or that access was blocked