July/August 2019 | Page 12

G ove r n men t Re lat ions
MEMBER UPDATE
Pennsylvania’s electronic prescribing law:
PDA finds answers to your questions about the new law!
We recently informed you about Act 96 of 2018, which requires
some health care providers to electronically prescribe all
Schedule II-V controlled substances, except when they are
directly dispensed or administered by the provider (other than
pharmacists).
Many of you have contacted us with questions about the
exemptions included in the bill, among other things. Here are
answers PDA was able to obtain on your behalf!
Q: Do faxes qualify as an electronic prescription?
A: No, faxes do not qualify as an electronic prescription, per Section 11 (b.2) of the Act, which reads, “A prescription
generated on an electronic system and printed or transmitted via facsimile is not an electronic prescription.”
Therefore, providers who most comply with the law, and who currently submit prescriptions via fax, must prescribe
electronically by October 24.
Q. The law stipulates that providers are exempt if they do not have either internet access or an electronic heath
record system. Does this mean a provider is exempt if they have one, but not the other?
A. Under this provision, a provider is exempt only if they do not have access to the internet AND an electronic health
record system. They must comply with the law if they have one, but not the other.
Q. When can providers apply to the Department of Health for a hardship exemption?
A. The Department of Health is currently drafting regulations that will be circulated for public comment once the
formal regulatory process commences. Final regulations will likely be enacted in 2020. Currently, DOH is accepting
petitions for temporary exemptions from the requirements in Act 96. You can access the application on DOH’s
website at https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/programs/Pages/Electronic%20Prescribing.aspx. PDA recommends
that dentists begin to take the steps necessary to comply with the law by October 24, even if you plan to apply for
a hardship exemption in the future.
Q. Does PDA have a list of vendors offering the technology to prescribe electronically?
A. This list is not all inclusive. There are several software/service options available; it is up to each individual practice to
determine a software/service program that is right for them. PDA does not recommend or endorse any particular
software or service. Please review and read all contracts carefully before signing.
Allscripts: 1-800-334-8534
Carestream Dental: 800-944-6365
Practicefusion: [phone]
Dentrix (Henry Schein One): [phone]
Eaglesoft (Patterson Dental): [phone]
Easydental (Henry Schein One): [phone]
Lexicomp (Wolters Kluwer): [phone]
Do you have questions about the new electronic prescribing law? Contact PDA’s government relations team at
[phone] or [e-mail].
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JU LY/AU GU ST 2019 | P EN N S YLVA N IA D EN TA L J O UR N A L