Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Patient Portal Request Prescription Refill?

Prescription refills seem to be a large chunk of our phone calls. Is there anyway that patients could request prescription refills online? Any ideas?

Thanks!

Ben

Ben

We have our patients call the pharmacy for refill requests. Most pharmacies in our area send the refill requests electronically. Since switching over to AC and having patients contact the pharmacy, our calls have decreased.

We've also had some customers build forms on the portal to take these down, something like this: rx refill.

We specifically tell patients that we do not do automatic renewals. They must come in for re-evaluation. Please do not email or call for renewal of prescriptions. Just book your appointment.

In our office we will not refill any medication unless the pharmacy requests it (and therefore, we know they have it in their database, and it is a true refill.) Anything that originates in our office is a new prescription, not a refill, and 99% of the time, the patient is required to come in for evaluation before we make the prescription.

Patients are required to call the pharmacy, and the pharmacy usually faxes the request to us through updox. I pick it up on a tablet, mark it up like it was paper and return it to the pharmacy and enter it in patient's record in AC. (Actually, we use the Updox flag system, and I flag the marked up Rx for the staff to send on its way -- saves me time.

We have massively cut down on paper and hassle with this system.

We also require the patients to come in for an evaluation before any prescription. They are given written instructions when to follow up and only enough refills to last until the next evaluation (like lab) is due. All requests for rx are denied. This has made for better patient care and no provider has to look at a refill request and take any action.

Ben,

I am one of those Tobin is referring to. My wife designed some script requests, which the patient fills out. Or they just send in a secure request via the portal. I don't have any PA's or NP's and I am the only one filling scripts. It works great.
The secure portal has cut down phone calls and voice mails immensely. Would not want to do without it.

Hey Jimmie,

That sounds interesting. Would you be willing to post what that looks like?
Thanks

cation Refill Request
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Patient Name *
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Date of Birth *
(month/day/year)
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Medication Name and Dosage *
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Medication Quantity and Additional Information *
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Number of Refills
None
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Other - (explain in box below)
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Pharmacy Name *
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Pharmacy Zip Code (if pharmacy is located outside of Great Falls)
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Pharmacy Fax Number (if pharmacy is fax only)
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]
Additional Information
[edit this field] [delete this field] [drag to reorder]

I think I will see if Tobin can help me on this. I can't get the form to come out right, but this is what it looks like when you design it. Sorry.