Physician Dispensing
Dispensing solutions allow physicians and approved office staff to
provide patients with medications quickly and safely at the
point-of-care, assume the collection risks on claims guarantee
reimbursements to its clients and provide stable and substantial
ancillary revenue opportunity for physicians.
In most states physician dispensing is legal. A few states like New
York, Texas and Utah do not permit physician dispensing. As long as a
doctor has a valid DEA and state medical license they can provide a
point-of-care pharmacy dispensing program. Rules vary state by state,
but in most cases office staff can dispense medications that physician
ordered under their supervision. Apart from legal requirements, the
extent of office staff involvement is completely physician. For example,
some offices will delegate the dispensing process to their nursing
staff.
Providing patients with medications during an office visit will benefit the patients is many ways:
SAVE THE PATIENTS TIME: Patients who are hurt or in pain will
appreciate the convenience that comes from receiving their medications
from their physician. According to recent national study: "Three out of
four Americans would have their prescription filled in their doctor's
office instead of a pharmacy if given the choice".
INCREASE INCOME: Physicians who dispense medications for workers
compensations on average are reimbursed anywhere from $25.00-$250.00 per
bottle depending on the medication.
IMPROVE TREATMENT COMPLIANCE: Published estimates indicate that many
patients do not fill their prescriptions. By dispensing medications
directly to the patients physicians will be certain that their patients
have the medications they need.
Dispensing is typically done in offices which prescribe heavily for
acute conditions needing a single course of therapy. Typical medications
include antibiotics, muscle relaxers, anti-inflammatory, pain, and
gastro related medications.
There are three key advantages for in office dispensing:
Expediency
Your patients obtain their medications and test results at the point of
care. The whole process can be performed with your existing staff in
less than 30 seconds per patient. Whether you own a large health care
organization, or you are a solo practitioner the suitable software can
be found.
Compliance
Physician dispensing solution enables healthcare professionals to be in
compliance with all state and federal regulations and prescription drug
monitoring programs. By using software to electronically track all
pedigree papers, lot numbers, expiration dates and controlled substances
with line item reconciliation. Also, it can identify the location,
physician, dispenser, cost, profit and date of dispensed medications.
Effectiveness
Physician Dispensing - In the contemporary medical industry, offsetting
the costs and capturing all potential revenue, while maximizing patient
care, are the key segments of establishing successful Healthcare
organization.