Implementation

Q:

What kind of effort does it take on my part to be able to effectively implement ZixCorp's PocketScript system?

A:

To gain the full benefit of the PocketScript system, you must be prepared to write every script using the system. If scripts are written outside the system, your electronic records will be incomplete.

Initial information requirements from you and your staff include the following:

• Complete "data dump" from your patient management system

• Your favorite scripts

• Your favorite pharmacies

Most importantly, please make sure that everyone in your practice is prepared to work towards a successful implementation of electronic prescribing.

Q:

Will using PocketScript speed up prescribing?

A:

PocketScript can substantially reduce the time required for the prescribing process, especially after your practice has been using it for a while. A few examples:

• Refills can be queued by your staff so that all you need to do is approve and send the scripts to the pharmacies.

• The patient's drug history is available on one screen - you don't need to leaf through pages of paper records.

• Drug interactions and allergies are flagged and detailed information is readily available, saving you time in looking it up.

• You have direct access to multiple formularies, so it's fast and easy to accommodate patients' needs.

Pharmacies

Q:

Can PocketScript prescriptions be sent to all of my pharmacies?

A:

Yes, prescriptions can be sent to all pharmacies that accept fax prescriptions. During setup, most of the pharmacies in your geographic area are included in the system database. Most are loaded with fax numbers that allow electronic transmission of your prescriptions. If a particular pharmacy's fax machine is temporarily broken, or its fax information is not available, the pharmacy can be set to "Print Only." This setting enables you to print your prescription and then sign and give to the patient.

Q:

What happens if the fax prescription is not received by the pharmacy?

A:

The first line of defense is checking your Script Maintenance page at least twice a day to see if there are any problems transmitting scripts to the pharmacies. Prescribers can also check the Script Log on their handheld devices.

The PocketScript system continuously monitors system performance. If a fax prescription is not successfully received on the first attempt, retransmission is attempted every six minutes.

As a "safety net," after twenty minutes the system generates an email to PocketScript staff who investigate the situation and take the necessary steps to ensure that your prescription is accurately and quickly transmitted.

Q:

Can I send prescriptions directly to mail-order pharmacies?

A:

Currently, Express Scripts® AdvancePCS, and Medco™ accept PocketScript generated prescriptions. We are also working with other services to develop acceptable formats.

An interim solution is to print the prescription for the patient to submit directly to the mail-order service. In addition, please contact the mail-order customer service department and request PocketScript functionality. Your input, plus our continued relationships with these firms, will help us work towards a permanent solution.

Q:

What is recommended when patients do not know where they want to have their prescriptions filled?

A:

You could place a supervised printer near the patient sign-out area. Prescriptions could be printed on that machine and handed to patients as they leave. Note: Be alert so that patients get the right prescriptions and that they don't feel their personal relationships with the prescriber are impaired.

Q:

How can we correct or update pharmacy fax numbers?

A:

Use the Maintenance Pages>Pharmacy Maintenance page to make changes to pharmacy information.

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Drugs and Formularies

Q:

Does the drug database include durable goods such as diabetic supplies?

A:

No. Currently, the drug database does not include durable goods and supplies. Multum Information Services provides the drug database on your system, which is updated monthly. For liability reasons, we do not manage or add content to the database. Any questions regarding the contents of the drug database should be directed to Multum at www.multum.com or via email at support@multum.com.

Q:

Why do I have to accept or reject the Multum license agreement every six months?

A:

Multum provides the drug information that is used in the PocketScript application. Under the terms of the Multum license agreement for this information, users of the data must reconfirm their acceptance of the agreement every six months.

Q:

Can I write a prescription off-formulary?

A:

Yes, you always have complete freedom in prescribing.

Q:

Does the PocketScript system allow me to view my patients dispensed drug history?

A:

Yes, for some patients, PocketScript is able to display dispensed drug history. This history includes medications prescribed by physicians in other practices and specialties that were actually dispensed to patients and adjudicated by the patient's insurance company.

The medications displayed are color-coded for formulary compliance and they can be refilled the same way that regular prescription history entries can.

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Patients and Coverage

Q:

Can I still e-prescribe if a patient's insurance plan is not in the system or the patient is not insured?

A:

Yes, the only difference you'll see is that the drugs are not color-coded and that all generic drugs are indicated with "up" arrows.

Q:

At start-up, how do I enter patient data in the PocketScript system?

A:

While your office staff can enter patient data manually, the best method is to produce a patient demographic data report from your practice management system and send it to ZixCorp to transfer the data into the system. Call ZixCorp's PocketScript technical service department at 866-753-9234 for information about a number of methods to accomplish the data transfer.

Q:

How do I add new patients to the PocketScript system?

A:

The most common way to enter a new patient's demographic data into the PocketScript system is to manually enter it from the desktop using a Web browser connected to the Internet. Another possibility is to link to your practice management system with a single directional interface.

You may also add patients directly from your handheld. You only need to enter the patient's name, date of birth, gender, and zip code to get a match with the insurer.

Q:

Does the PocketScript system link to my patient management system?

A:

ZixCorp offers a free HL7 interface that connects the PocketScript system to your practice management system. The HL7 requires a Windows 2000 PC or higher to run the PocketScript portion of the interface. Consult your practice management system vendor about link availability and cost issues for its system. Custom connectivity may also be available for your practice at an additional fee. Contact PocketScript Support at 866-753-9234 for more information on this service.

Q:

How can we update a patient's drug history if a doctor handwrote a prescription?

A:

You can add a prescription to the patient's drug history by using the Maintenance Pages>Patient Maintenance page and clicking Script History.

Q:

What is the difference between medical and prescription insurance plans?

A:

Prescription insurance only covers a patient's outpatient prescriptions while medical insurance covers a variety of medical products and services, including doctors' fees, lab tests, hospital stays, and inpatient drugs.

Prescription insurance is provided under a medical insurance plan and may be administered by the medical insurance provider or a specialized pharmacy benefit management company (PBM). Patients covered under Medicare/Medicaid, however, may obtain separate prescription insurance.

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Data and Security

Q:

Where is my patient and prescription data stored?

A:

Your data is maintained in the SysTrust™ and SAS-70 certified, HIPAA-compliant ZixData Center™. Access to the center is strictly controlled by biometric finger scanning and security codes.

Q:

What information does the PocketScript system collect about my prescribing practices?

A:

The PocketScript system only collects information about the number of scripts written and certain statistical information. All patient demographics are stripped from the reported data. Patient privacy is totally secure.

Q:

How secure is the PocketScript system?

A:

The PocketScript e-prescriber provides security on many levels:

• Your password is required at log on.

• After a period of time, you must re-enter your password.

• All patient and prescription information is transmitted through a 128-bit or higher encryption mechanism.

• Each prescription has a unique PocketScript ID number associated with it. This number assures the pharmacy that any script received through PocketScript is authentic.

PocketScript security also relies upon you to control access to your handheld device. Just as prescription pads should not be available to unauthorized persons, once you log on to your handheld it should not be left unattended.

Q:

How does the ZixCorp PocketScript product relate to HIPAA?

A:

PocketScript uses HIPAA-compliant methods to securely transmit your patient's data between you, the prescriber, and the patient's pharmacy.

Q:

Does HIPAA impact use of the ZixCorp PocketScript product?

A:

Yes, if Dispensed Drug History is available for a patient, you must ask the patient's permission to view it. Dispensed Drug History displays prescriptions written by other practices that participate in the system (except for psycho-narcotics or drugs to treat HIV).

Q:

What security measures are taken with your wireless devices?

A:

ZixCorp takes every precaution to be sure that all of the data transmitted via the PocketScirpt system is properly secured.

BlackBerry communications are all 3DES (Triple Data Encryption Standard) encrypted based on security keys at the PocketScript BlackBerry Exchange Server.

Communications via the PocketPC 2003 devices use 128 bit SSL encryption.

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