Skip to main content

Managing a client’s medications with ePrescribe


{[{ category.name }]}

Managing a client’s medications with ePrescribe

Jazmine
Jazmine
  • Updated
Jump to

Managing a client’s medications with ePrescribe

Jazmine
Jazmine
  • Updated

On a client’s profile, there is a Medications tab where you can prescribe new medications and manage existing ones. 

medications.simplepractice.overviewpage.png

Note: To add ePrescribe to your account, see Adding ePrescribe to your SimplePractice account. 

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Viewing a client’s medications

To view a client’s active and inactive medications:

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Select Medications 

 On the client’s Medications tab, you’ll find a section for both active and inactive medications, as well as the date and time this page was last updated. 

For each active and inactive medication, you’ll find the following for each medication:

  • Name, Strength, Form
  • Dose
  • Route
  • Timing
  • Start date and Stop date
  • Additional directions, if added 

Click Manage medications > Continue to open the DrFirst ePrescribe window. 

Note: DrFirst is our third-party ePrescribe partner.

Reviewing client info for ePrescribe

To review or edit a client’s info saved for ePrescribe:

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Select Medications > Manage medications
  • Review the client’s info
    • Any edits made here are only saved in ePrescribe
  • To make edits, click Edit

  • Click Continue

The following information is required for each client:

  • Legal first name
  • Legal last name
  • Date of birth
    • If the client is a minor, their Height (inches) and Weight (Pounds) are also required
  • Sex
  • Client’s street address
    • If you don’t know the client’s address, check the box for Unknown address

  • Client’s city
  • State
  • ZIP Code

Important: The information here is saved for ePrescribe only. To update the client’s profile in your SimplePractice account, click edit client info to be taken to the client’s Client info page.

Managing a client’s pharmacy list

Designating a default pharmacy for the client is required to send a prescription. 

Note: A default pharmacy isn’t required to create a new prescription. However, you’ll be required to set one before you can send out a new prescription.

In this section, we’ll cover: 

Adding a pharmacy

To add a pharmacy to a client’s list:

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Select Medications > Manage medications
  • Review the client’s info
    • Any edits made here are only saved in ePrescribe 

  • Click Continue
  • Click the magnifying glass class icon under Pharmacy
    • If applicable, you can also click Please set the default pharmacy
  • Use the checkboxes and text fields to narrow your search
  • Click Search
  • Choose the row to add the pharmacy to the client’s list

The pharmacy will appear in the client’s dropdown list on their Patient Summary page. Use the dropdown menu to select a pharmacy as default.

To add additional pharmacies to the client’s list, click the magnifying glass icon and follow the steps above. 

Viewing pharmacy details

To view a client’s pharmacy details:

  • On the client’s Patient Summary page, use the dropdown menu to select the pharmacy in question
  • Click the bullet list icon

The pharmacy details will appear in a pop up window. Click Close to exit.

Deleting a pharmacy

To delete a pharmacy from the client’s list:

  • On the client’s Patient Summary page, use the dropdown menu to select the pharmacy in question
  • Click the trash can icon to delete it

  • Click Confirm Delete

Adding a client’s allergies

To add a client’s drug allergies:

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Select Medications > Manage medications
  • Review the client’s info
    • Any edits made here are only saved in ePrescribe

  • Click Continue
  • The DrFirst ePrescribe window will load
    • This may take a moment
  • Under Allergies:
    • If the client doesn’t have any known drug allergies, click Mark patient NKDA
    • To add the client’s known drug allergies, click the + icon

  • Type in the Allergen and click Search
  • Choose the Matching Allergen / Group

  • Type in the Reaction(s) and click Add Reaction
  • Type in the Severity and click Add Severity
  • Add Onset Date
  • Click Save 

Creating a new prescription

After a default pharmacy has been added and the client’s drug allergies have been entered, you’re ready to create a new prescription for a client. To do this:

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Select Medications > Manage medications
  • Review the client’s info
    • Any edits made here are only saved in ePrescribe

  • Click Continue
  • The DrFirst ePrescribe window will load
    • This may take a moment
  • Choose Create New Rx

  • Type in the drug in question
  • Click the magnifying glass icon
  • Select a medication to prescribe

  • Choose a Strength / Pkg
  • Add Patient Directions by using the dropdown menus

  • Add a Quantity and any other additional details
  • Click Review

  • Review the information
  • Click Save Pending Rx

  • To save and add another Rx, click Save and Add Rx
  • To make updates, click Back
  • To cancel the prescription, click Cancel

To send the prescription to the client’s default pharmacy:

  • Enter your Signature Password
  • Click Send

 

A confirmation banner will appear at the top of the page. 

Important: In order to send a prescription to a pharmacy, a default pharmacy must be added. To learn more, see Adding a pharmacy.

Renewing a prescription

To renew a medication: 

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Select Medications > Manage medications
  • Review the client’s info
    • Any edits made here are only saved in ePrescribe

  • Click Continue
  • The DrFirst ePrescribe window will load
    • This may take a moment
  • Under Active Medications, find the medication in question
  • Under Actions, click the renew button

A prescription will automatically be created and appear under Prescription Management.

  • Enter your Signature Password
  • Click Send

Stopping a prescription

Stopping a prescription means to move it from active to inactive medications at the client’s Medications tab. To delete the prescription from the Medications tab, see Deleting a medication. 

To stop a prescription:

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Select Medications > Manage medications
  • Review the client’s info
    • Any edits made here are only saved in ePrescribe

  • Click Continue
  • The DrFirst ePrescribe window will load
    • This may take a moment
  • Under Active Medications, find the prescription in question
  • Under Actions, click the stop icon 

Deleting a prescription

To delete an active medication:

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Select Medications > Manage medications
  • Review the client’s info
    • Any edits made here are only saved in ePrescribe

  • Click Continue
  • The DrFirst ePrescribe window will load
    • This may take a moment
  • Under Active Medications, find the prescription(s) in question
    • Use the checkboxes to select more than one medication
  • Under Actions, click the trash can icon 

 

  • Click Confirm Delete

Addressing ePrescribe alerts

You’ll receive pharmacy notifications for refills, changes, and cancellations via email. Click sign in directly from the email to view the alert.

signin.simplepractice.emailalerts.png

Note: Alert emails are required and can’t be disabled. 

These ePrescribe alerts are updated every 20 minutes and will be populated in the ePrescribe in the left panel on your calendar page.

alerts.simplepractice.eprescribetab.png

Note: Only the primary ePrescribing clinician will receive these ePrescribe alerts on the ePrescribe tab. These alerts won't be accessible to any registered non-clinical or clinical staff team members. 

You can see how much time has passed since the last update under ePrescribe alerts.

updated.simplepractice.eprescribealerts.png

To view your practice ePrescribe alerts:

  • Click ePrescribe

alerts.simplepractice.eprescribetab.png

  • Click View next to the alert you’d like to see
  • Choose the x to remove the ePrescribe alerts slide out

Pending prescriptions

Pending prescriptions will appear in the ePrescribe alerts slide out when a prescription has been written, but hasn’t been sent to a pharmacy yet. To address a Pending prescription ePrescribe alert:

  • Click ePrescribe
  • Choose View next to Pending prescriptions

view.simplepractice.eprescribealerts.png

  • The Prescription Summary page in DrFirst will appear
  • Each client will be listed and their prescription that’s waiting to be sent to the pharmacy

prescriptionsummary.simplepractice.drfirst.png

  • To edit the prescription, click the pencil icon
  • To favorite the prescription, click the star icon
  • To delete the prescription, click the trash can icon
  • To send the prescription, click Send
    • To send and print a copy, click Send & Print
    • To print only, click Print don’t Send
    • To sign only, click Sign don’t Send

Pharmacy requests

Pharmacy requests will appear in the ePrescribe alerts slide out when a pharmacy has sent over a request. To address a Pharmacy request ePrescribe alert:

  • Click ePrescribe
  • Choose View next to Pharmacy requests

pharmacyrequests.simplepractice.eprescribealerts.png

  • The Pharmacy Messages page in DrFirst will appear
  • Each client will be listed with their prescription and additional details of the request from the pharmacy
  • Examples of pharmacy requests include but aren’t limited to:
    • Generic substitution request
    • Prescription change request
    • Renewal request

renewal.simplepractice.drfirst.png

  • Under Response, choose an Action
  • Add any additional required fields or notes for the pharmacist
  • Click Send

send.simplepractice.drfirst.png

Tip: Click the +/- to expand/shrink menus in DrFirst.

FAQs

Can I auto-populate a client’s active medications into their documentation?

You can add a client’s active medications when you’re creating or editing a progress or psychotherapy note. 

Note: To view a client’s active medications, see Viewing a client’s medications.

To do this, select the Rx button in the note’s text box.

rx.simplepractice.progressnote.png

Clicking this button will enter this text: {client_active_medication_list}. Once the note is saved, each active medication will populate with the following information:

  • Name, Strength, Form
  • Dose
  • Route
  • Timing
  • Start date
  • Additional notes, if added 
    • This populates from the Additional Directions To Patient field, accessible from the DrFirst ePrescribe window

This is how an active medication will appear in a saved note:

activemedications.simplepractice.progressnote.png

Tip: You can also auto-populate other information saved as snippets in a progress or psychotherapy note. For more information, see Using snippets.

Can I disable Clinical Alerts?

There isn’t a way to disable Clinical Alerts within DrFirst. These are required notifications set up for client safety.

If there are Clinical Alerts associated with your prescription, you’ll be prompted to acknowledge the alert before submitting. Click Acknowledge Alerts to bypass.

acknowledge.simplepractice.alerts.png

Can I use the iPrescribe mobile app to ePrescribe?

If you’d like to use the iPrescribe app on your mobile device, we can securely upload login information to your account. You won’t be able to create a client or update demographic information within the iPrescribe app. Those changes can only be made within your SimplePractice account.

To get started with iPrescribe, please reach out to our team.

Note: SimplePractice is unable to offer support with the iPrescribe app. You can reach out to DrFirst directly for further assistance.

Can I use the SimplePractice mobile app to ePrescribe?

There isn't a way to access ePrescribe on the SimplePractice mobile app. All ePrescribing occurs in the SimplePractice web version.

How do I generate a report of medication history, including the reason why a medication was discontinued?

To generate a report of medication history, including the reason why a medication was discontinued:

  • Navigate to the client's Overview page
  • Click Medications > Manage medications > Continue
  • Next to Clinical Reports, choose Provider

provider.simplepractice.clinicalreports.png

Note: If you don’t see Clinical Reports in the DrFirst panel, reach out to our Customer Success team.

  • To download the report, Export EHI
  • To print the report, click the printer icon

printer.simplepractice.clinicalreport.png

How do I reset my Signature Password?

Your Signature Password is used to send all prescriptions in DrFirst. If you’re sending a controlled substance, you’ll also be asked to provide your passphrase and your one-time PIN (OTP) from your selected token.

signaturepassword.simplepractice.drfirst.png

To reset your Signature Password, reach out to our team.

How do I set up cross-coverage in my group practice?

In order for another ePrescribing clinician in your practice to ePrescribe on your behalf, you can add the clinician to the client’s Clinicians granted access list. That way, the other ePrescribing clinician in your group practice has access to the client’s profile, including their Medications tab.

To add a clinician to a client’s Clinicians granted access list, see Granting clinician access.

Note: There isn’t a way to add clinicians to a client’s Clinicians granted access list in bulk. However, to grant another ePrescribing access to the Medications tab for all clients, you can update their team member role to clinician with entire practice access. To update a team member’s role, see Updating a team member’s role or access level.

Only the primary clinician will receive ePrescribe alerts for the client.

How do I perform a data export for ePrescribe?

To perform a data export for a client:

  • Navigate to the client’s Overview page
  • Click Medications > Manage medications > Continue
  • Next to Clinical Reports, select Patient 

 

Note: If you don’t see Clinical Reports in the DrFirst panel, reach out to our Customer Success team.

  • Click the printer icon to print to bring or to save as a PDF for your records

 

Note: For any other ePrescribe reports, click the hamburger menu in the top left corner > Reports.reports.simplepractice.drfirst.png

How do I request and process Prior Authorization for medication electronically?

Electronic Prior Authorization (ePA) is a secure way to request and process Prior Authorization (PA) for medications electronically. You can access this through the DrFirst panel. To do this:

  • Create a new prescription for the client
    • Note: When searching for some medications, you may see a red Coverage limit label indicating that you’ll be required to submit PA for that medication

coveragelimit.simplepractice.drfirst.png

  • Complete the prescription instructions as normal
  • When you’re prompted to review the prescription, you’ll see a red badge indicating that PA is needed
  • To initiate the process, click Start PA 

startPA.simplepractice.drfirst.png

Once completed, you’ll see an alert that lets you know that the process has been started.

You can view the status of your PA medications at any time by clicking Prior Authorizations. 

priorauthorization.simplepractice.drfirst.png

To finish a Prior Authorization request from this list:

  • Click Complete

complete.simplepractice.priorauthorization.png

  • Answer the presented questions
  • Click Save

I entered a free text medication by accident. How do I fix it?

It’s important to select medications and allergies from the list provided and not to enter medications or allergy as a free text. Medications and allergies in the list provided in DrFirst are coded to undergo clinical and formulary screening. Free text medications and allergies won’t undergo the same screening.

If you choose a free text medication, you’ll receive a red alert notification after selecting it.

freetext.simplepractice.medication.png

To fix this and choose a medication from the list provided, click Cancel.

If you choose a free text allergy, you’ll receive a yellow alert notification after selecting it.

exclamation.simplepractice.allergies.png

To fix this, delete the allergy and select the one from the list provided.

I want to change my Signature Password. How do I do that?

If you know your Signature Password and want to change it, you can update it within the DrFirst panel. To do this:

  • Open the DrFirst panel in SimplePractice
  • Click the hamburger menu in the upper left corner
  • Choose Settings > Signature Password

signature.simplepractice.password.png

  • Enter your Current Signature Password and your New Signature Password twice
  • Click Save

save.simplepractice.signaturepassword.png

Note: If you forgot your Signature Password and need to reset it, see How do I reset my Signature Password?

Is height and weight required?

Clients who are minors, 18 years or younger, are required to have height and weight entered in their ePrescribe client information.

Clients who are adults, 19 years or older, aren’t required to have height and weight entered.

Which team members can access a client’s Medications tab?

Only clinicians designated as the Primary clinician or Clinicians granted access can view a client’s Medications tab. To add a clinician to a client’s Clinicians granted access list, see Granting clinician access.

If a clinician isn’t the client’s designated Primary clinician and isn’t checked on the Clinicians granted access list, they won’t be able to access the Medications tab. Non-clinical team members such as practice managers, practice billers, and practice schedulers, also won’t have access to the client’s Medications tab or the DrFirst panel.

To grant another ePrescribing clinician access to the Medications tab for all clients, you can update their team member role to clinician with entire practice access. To update a team member’s role, see Updating a team member’s role or access level.

Still have questions?

Get more help