unlicensed documenting on prescriptions

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Hello everybody. I work in the medical field with a lot of prescriptions. New Medicare regulations demand that prescriptions have the physician's or CRNP's NPI# and their full name. Obviously, there are all types and formats of Rx's out there and 30% have no NPI. Is it legal for other medical personnel, and which ones, to add this "basic" information?? Some doctor's claim that they have no time to be chased down for a basic NPI scribble addition. PLEASE HELP!!!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

It should be a non issue just like an office assistant can print a patient's name & date of birth on an Rx. As long as they aren't signing names.

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For NPI, it's ok

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are there any website articles I can take a look at, maybe Medicare, that would convince my office manager just in case an issue arises?

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You're talking about writing the NPI down for the doctor on every prescription?

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yes patients come in to receive supplies with an RX, and the manager demands doctors to add their NPI#

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Then your manager is being extra extra safe. But really, it's just a NPI. where you're from, the prescriptions can't print the NPI? It shouldn't be a problem but this is just something the manager and doctor have to decide then. Many receptionists fill out information that they can and most doctors just sign nowadays :x

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Maybe the manager just wants to make sure the doctor is responsible for everything he writes out incase anything happens that's all

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that would definitely be my manager - VERY SAFE. we aren't a doctor's office that's why we don't have much control, and poor patients! I believe its only basic information, but our manager prefers the doctor to be the bearer of full responsibility. If only there was a written instruction for nonlicensed personnel regarding prescriptions. I appreciate the reply!

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I doubt there are written guidelines for a non licensed assistant to add information to prescriptions.

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perhaps everything outside of doctor's signing prescriptions and physically ordering them is legal

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Consider getting each prescriber an ink-free ribber stamp with the printed name and number(s) on it. Cost ya a couple of bucks each at the local stationery purveyor. Then the prescriber can stamp and scribble at the same time. A few of our local hospitals have started issuing prescribers these, and it really cuts down on fake rxs (the pharmacists look for the stamp) and confusion over whose scribble that really is.

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