New York State Delays Mandated Provider ePrescribing until 2016

Update: On March 13, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation that delays the deadline for prescriptions to be made electronically until March 2016. 

On Tuesday, February 10, New York Senator Martin Golden announced the one-year delay of mandated ePrescribing in the state of New York until March 27, 2016. The delayed law, known as I-STOP, would have required all providers within the state of New York to electronically prescribe all drugs, including controlled substances (EPCS) on March 27, 2015.

Many electronic medical records (EMRs) vendors have the ability to ePrescribe, but few have received the required federal certification to ePrescribe controlled substances. The Federal Drug Enforcement Agency has struggled with certifying EMRs by the previous law’s deadline. The delay will also ensure pharmacies and procedures for EPCS will be more prepared for the mandate.

DocuTAP applauds this move by New York to delay mandated ePrescribing until more EMR vendors are certified for ePrescribing controlled substances. This delay will ensure the legislation’s original intention of protecting patients and preventing controlled substance misuse. The New York State Department of Health has provided a handout with frequently asked questions about ePrescribing controlled substances.