LEADER PHYSICIAN SERVICES, INC
INNOVATION FOR PHYSICIANS
Leader Physician ServicesQ. Can a physician legally dispense prescriptions from his office?
A. Yes, every medical doctor has the right to dispense medication to his own
patients. Only four states restrict the practice to any great degree ( New York,
Montana, Texas, and Massachusetts) even in these states, dispensing is allowed
but restricted.
Q. Does in-office medication dispensing add liability exposure or increase my
malpactrice liability?
A. No. Physicians have the right to dispense medications to their own patients.
Since a physician is responsible for the prescription that is writtenas well as
dispensing samples and administering medications to patients, the act of filling
the prescription does not increase liability.
Q. Will in-office physician dispensing violate Stark Laws?
A. No, in-office physician medication dispensing is considered a procedure within
the office and therefore does not violate Stark I or II.
Q. How many additional staff will I need to hire?
A. No additional staff are required to initiate the program. As the practice grows
and patients become familiar with the in-office dispensing program, additional
time may be rquired to enter information into the system.
Neverthe less, time is saved through a reduction in phone calls by pharmacies
and patients.
Q. Will I need to have special medication storage equipment and cabinets?
A. No special equipment is required. Drugs may be stored in a standard cabinet.
Q. How much time is required to process patient prescriptions?
A. 1 to 2 minutes to process a prescription.
A. Yes, every medical doctor has the right to dispense medication to his own
patients. Only four states restrict the practice to any great degree ( New York,
Montana, Texas, and Massachusetts) even in these states, dispensing is allowed
but restricted.
Q. Does in-office medication dispensing add liability exposure or increase my
malpactrice liability?
A. No. Physicians have the right to dispense medications to their own patients.
Since a physician is responsible for the prescription that is writtenas well as
dispensing samples and administering medications to patients, the act of filling
the prescription does not increase liability.
Q. Will in-office physician dispensing violate Stark Laws?
A. No, in-office physician medication dispensing is considered a procedure within
the office and therefore does not violate Stark I or II.
Q. How many additional staff will I need to hire?
A. No additional staff are required to initiate the program. As the practice grows
and patients become familiar with the in-office dispensing program, additional
time may be rquired to enter information into the system.
Neverthe less, time is saved through a reduction in phone calls by pharmacies
and patients.
Q. Will I need to have special medication storage equipment and cabinets?
A. No special equipment is required. Drugs may be stored in a standard cabinet.
Q. How much time is required to process patient prescriptions?
A. 1 to 2 minutes to process a prescription.