When Texas started requiring that physicians check the state’s prescription monitoring program (PMP), the state appropriated funds to cover the licensing fee for the first two years. Effective Sept. 1, however, that fee is no longer covered by the state, and Appriss, the state’s PMP vendor, has begun billing physicians for the annual PMP licensing fee.
TMA is exploring options with the governor’s office, Texas State Board of Pharmacy, and Appriss to tap into the opioid settlement funds to defray the cost of the PMP. However, it does not appear that funding will be available prior to Sept. 1, TMA officials say.
The association has reached out to Appriss to understand the pricing structure on the invoice that physicians are receiving. Appriss has indicated the following options for physicians:
- Cost for the basic service – integrated access to the PMP through the physician’s electronic health record – is $50 per prescriber per year. This is access to controlled substance prescription data only.
- Cost for the optional NarxCare graphic interface and Appriss analytics is an additional $250 per prescriber per year.
- Always available at no cost is manual web access to the PMP through the Texas Board of Pharmacy via PMP Aware.
Physician groups may check with Appriss to see if they are eligible for reduced pricing per prescriber.
At TMA’s urging, Appriss is working on additional communications to physicians that more clearly explain the options and associated fees.
If you choose not to renew with Appriss, access to the PMP will no longer be accessible through your EHR within your workflow. It will still be available for free when you log in to the state’s system, PMP Aware, to check a patient’s prescribing history as required by law before prescribing opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and carisoprodol.
Questions about prescribing and the PMP program may be directed to TMA’s Health Information Technology Department by calling (800) 880-5720 or by email. Also check out TMA’s PMP resource page.
Last Updated On
August 04, 2021
Originally Published On
August 04, 2021