Can electronic prescribing be used for Medicaid prescriptions? What restrictions apply?
Doctors can prescribe electronically for most Medicaid prescriptions. However, if a physician wants to prohibit generic substitution by specifying “DAW” (Dispense as Written) or “Brand Medically Necessary,” the federal government requires the physician to hand sign a hard copy of the prescription as a pharmacy audit copy. This requirement prevents e-prescribing from being an acceptable transmission option for the small percentage of Medicaid prescriptions that are DAW. SureScripts is working closely with regulatory and other agencies to attempt to change this restriction.
Doctors can prescribe electronically for most Medicaid prescriptions. However, if a physician wants to prohibit generic substitution by specifying ‘DAW’ (dispense as written) or ‘brand medically necessary,’ the federal government requires the physician to hand-sign a hard copy of the prescription as a pharmacy audit copy. This requirement prevents e-prescribing from being an acceptable transmission option for the small percentage of Medicaid prescriptions that are DAW. Surescripts is working closely with regulatory and other agencies to attempt to change this restriction.
