Prescribers


The National Association of Chain Drug Stores produces an annual industry report with a comprehensive review of prescription drugs, prescribing, and pharmacies. Prescribers, scripts, and dollars The Medical Group Management Association has valuable data on the administrative costs of prescribing.

In a 2004 study entitled "Analyzing cost of administrative complexity in group practice" MGMA used their study was the first using Group Practice Research Network (GPRN)of almost 300 group practices to identify administrative costs using a survey. They found that in a medical group practice with 10 physicians, more than $19,444 per year was spent on phone calls with pharmacies resolving drug formulary issues. SureScripts takes the MGMA data and identifies some total e-prescribing costs in their GetConnectedRx Resource site.

Per FTE Physician Hours/Year Cost/FTE
Support staff time on phone with pharmacies – Rx Refills 133.0 $1,929.00
Physician time on phone with pharmacies – Rx Refills 80.8 $8,083.00

Some calculations for the savings that might be incurred at 50% and 100% e-Rx. In actuality, it is reasonable to calculate only the staff savings, but it is a matter of the extent to which savings can be realized by more volume or staff reductions.

50% e-Rx
 100% e-Rx
Savings per physician FTE
 $ 6,365
 $ 11,913
FTE staff savings per MD
$ 2,275
 $ 4,254
Total Savings
 $ 8,640
 $ 16,171