COVID-19 RESOURCES
Today, the entire healthcare system is focused on combating the COVID-19 pandemic. We take seriously our role in helping medical professionals better serve patients, and we know you too are committed to supporting them as you work to help patients and prevent further spread of the virus.
TIPS & GUIDANCE
We’ve heard from many of you with questions and guidance on how to respond to the pandemic. Here are a few tips for Surescripts Network Alliance® participants.
Use new COVID diagnosis codes:
NCPDP recommends that all e-prescriptions contain diagnosis codes, and the CDC recently announced new ICD-10-CM codes for COVID-19.
Send immunizations notifications:
Pharmacies can use Clinical Direct Messaging to notify primary care physicians of COVID-19 immunizations.
Manage drug shortages and costs:
If an existing medication isn’t available or is too expensive, use Real-Time Prescription Benefit to find an affordable, available alternative. Pharmacists can send RxChange requests to let prescribers know a medication is out of stock.
Access patient clinical histories:
Record Locator & Exchange lets healthcare providers, including clinicians in pharmacies, quickly see where patients have received care and locates medical records from across all 50 states, regardless of care setting and EHR.
SURESCRIPTS SOLUTIONS TO HELP
Many of our services can assist front-line care providers who may be facing an increased volume of patients requiring critical care. Providers are encouraged to:
Replace phone/fax:
Use automated tools, such as Electronic Prior Authorization and Clinical Direct Messaging, to communicate with other providers and health plans. Surescripts Prior Authorization Portal is a free, online electronic prior authorization service.
Enable secure messaging:
EHRs offer a number of tools, including Surescripts Clinical Direct Messaging, that can help optimize clinical management, transmit electronic case records (eCRs) for COVID-19 diagnoses, and communicate COVID immunizations with other providers while supporting clinical care.
Utilize telehealth technology:
Federal officials have eased some of the restrictions and expanded benefits for telehealth, enabling more providers to implement the technology and leverage Surescripts tools like E-Prescribing, Medication History and Clinical Direct Messaging. Visit the American Telemedicine Association to learn more about available telehealth services.
Deliver tools for LTPAC providers:
Long-term and post-acute care (LTPAC) providers can leverage a number of tools like E-Prescribing, Medication History, Record Locator & Exchange, and Clinical Direct Messaging through their EHR vendor to treat more patients and reduce administrative work.
SURESCRIPTS RESPONSE
TO COVID-19
We take seriously our role in helping medical professionals better serve patients, as we continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and any potential risk it may have for the Surescripts network. Below is an update on our actions to-date.
Business continuity plan:
Surescripts has a fully documented business continuity plan that is regularly tested as part of our HITRUST certification.
COVID-19 Task Force:
Our high-priority task force helps us take a holistic approach and implement best practices by continually monitoring developments from the CDC and other federal and state agencies.
Travel & Meetings:
We have instituted new travel and meeting policies to ensure flexibility, limit travel to essential business only, and leverage video and tele-conferencing to facilitate virtual meetings where feasible.
Telework:
While some of our employees already work remotely on a regular basis, we are encouraging all of our employees to work remotely.
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QUESTIONS?
If you have additional questions, please contact your Account Manager or Customer Support.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
We are actively monitoring the COVID-19 situation and are taking every precaution to protect the health and welfare of the Surescripts team and keep the network fully operational to support the many medical professionals who are on the frontlines of this crisis. Below are links to resources from other industry sources.