You asked. We answered. Nothing is off-limits. In this two-part episode, NCPA’s Doug Hoey joins RedSail CEO Kraig McEwen and PioneerRx executives Jeff Key and Marsha Bivins to check in on the 2020 acquisition. In Part 1, we discuss PioneerRx support, wait times, and customer success calls.

In Part 2, we discuss RedSail’s latest acquisition — TransactRx — and what it means for medical billing. Plus, we get an inside look at PioneerRx’s upcoming platform, which will change the way you do business. You won’t want to miss this one.

Get Ready for the Autumn Season with These 5 Tips

The weather is hopefully cooling down, the days are getting shorter, and the leaves are changing color as we welcome the autumn season.

For independent pharmacists, the last stretch of the year yields a unique set of obstacles. There is the tried-and-true flu season, a more than well-known health crisis in the (newly ended) COVID-19 pandemic, and the new but dangerous monkeypox crisis.

As we prepare for the cooler months, here are some tips to make your independent pharmacy a stellar healthcare destination in the midst of the autumn season chaos.

Federal - Senate to Vote Again on Ending COVID-19 National Emergency

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Federal - Teva Announces $4.25B Proposed Settlement 

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West Virginia - CVS, Walmart Reach $147M Opioid Settlement

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Added High Value Ordering Location Options, Email Notifications, and Role Permissions

Release Date: 09/21/2022

Users will now have more ways to manage high-value ordering quantities within PioneerRx.

New Item Options are now available that will generate a popup dialog to alert users when orders exceed a specific dollar amount or days supply. These new options are as follows:

• Warn if Rx Item on Order Exceeds X Days Supply - Defaults to 90

• Warn if Rx Item on Order Exceeds X Dollars - Defaults to 40,000

• Warn if Rx Total Order Cost Exceeds X Dollars - Defaults to 40,000

• Warn if Retail item on Order Exceeds X Dollars - Defaults to 40,000

• Warn if Retail Total Order Cost Exceeds X Dollars - Defaults to 40,000

These options can be found by navigating to Location > My Location > Item Options > Inventory Control.

*Note: The Days Supply will be calculated based on past usage. This can be found by navigating to Item > Edit Item > Ordering > Reorder Point [...].

In addition to these options, new Email Notifications are available that will send an email to the assigned email addresses any time that the total order amount, or an individual item ordered, exceeds the values entered in the Item Options above.

To configure Email Notifications, navigate to Location > My Location > Email Notification Options.

Lastly, the Bypass High Value Order Item Exceeds Warning Role Permission is now available. This role permission will allow or prevent users from bypassing the High Value Order Item dialog before submitting orders. This permission will be enabled by default for roles that already have a Manage Inventory permission. If the role does not have a Manage Inventory permission, this will be disabled by default.

To set this role permission, navigate to Location > Role List > Select Role > Manage Inventory > Bypass High Value Order Item Exceeds Warning.

The High Value Order Item dialog will display a list of items that exceed days supply or dollar amount from the location setting. If bypassed, the order will be submitted and the associated High Value email notification will be sent. 

Practical Use: These new options, notifications, and role allow pharmacies to be proactive in preventing unnecessary quantities or high dollar items from being ordered by providing an alert to review before making the final submission.

Added the Priority Type Column to the Compound Queue - Print Compound Rx Labels Grid Layout

Release Date: 09/21/2022

The Priority Type column is now available on the Compound Queue's Print Compound Rx Labels grid layout. This column will display the patient's priority for each compound prescription in the queue. The priority can be found on the Rx Profile by navigating to Rx > Edit Rx > Common Tab > Priority. This column will be displayed on the grid by default but can be toggled via the Field Chooser if needed.

To add this column to the Compound Queue's Print Compound Rx Labels grid, navigate to Workflow > Compound Queue > Select a Compound > Actions > Print Compound Rx Labels.

Practical Use: Pharmacies can use the Priority Type column to determine the priority of their compound prescription workflow, such as prioritizing prescriptions for patients that are actively waiting in the pharmacy.

Added Show Rx Inventory Facility Option

Release Date: 09/21/2022

The Show Rx Inventory facility option is now available on the Facility Profile. This option determines if the Rx inventory should show at Data Entry when selecting the dispensed item, or if the options at Data Entry should be limited to the preferred inventory group. This option will be set to Yes by default and will become editable once the pharmacy has selected a preferred inventory group in the Inventory Group facility option.

This option can be found on the Facility Profile by navigating to Patient > Facility > Edit Facility > Common > Options > Show Rx Inventory.

Practical Use: Pharmacies utilizing a specific inventory group for a facility can now use this option to display the proper Rx inventory. This option provides pharmacies with a way to keep more accurate inventory levels and limits mistakes caused by selecting the wrong inventory stock.

DIR Field has been added to the Lost Profit Rx Report

Release Date: 09/29/2022

The DirFeeTotal data field is now available on the Lost Profit Rx's Report Template. This data field will display the estimated DIR for each transaction. This data will mirror the Rx Transaction Search's DIR Fee column. The Lost Profit RX report shows the overall Net and/or Gross Profit for transactions where Gross/New profit is less than 0. Net Profit will reflect the Gross profit after estimated rebate and DIR and is available on many reports throughout the system. 

This report is found on the Rx Advanced Search by navigating to Rx > Rx Advanced Search (binoculars) > Add appropriate Filters > Reports > Lost Profit Rx >Profit Type: Gross Profit/Net Profit > View 

Practical Use: Adding this data field to the Lost Profit Rx report allows pharmacies to identify specific transactions where DIR Fees are causing the pharmacy to lose money.

New NavixRx Compliance Packaging Device Integration

Release Date: 09/28/2022

The NavixRx Compliance Packaging Device integration is now available in PioneerRx!

The NavixRx integration allows pharmacies to easily send compliance orders to the NavixRx pharmacy. Once they receive the order, their team of on-site pharmacists fulfills and package prescriptions, performing multiple verification points, including digital imaging, to confirm the contents of every single package before sending it back to the pharmacy. Pharmacies will continue to provide patient care, actually dispense the compliance packaged prescriptions, and provide consultation to patients if needed. 

New Highmark Care Goals available

Release Date: 09/27/2022

Added new Highmark Wholecare Care Goal templates, Rx Triggers, and Categories. 

The following system Care Goal templates are Inactive by default for all locations and will need to be set Active if needed. 

• Highmark WC Health Risk Assessment 

• Medication Reconciliation - Highmark WC 

The new Care Goal templates can be found by navigating to Location > My Location > Care Plan Options > Care Goals.  

Added Rx Item System Category

Added the following system Rx Item category (System > Category > Scope: Rx Item):

• Naloxone - Captures Naloxone Rx items for HighWC contract

Added Patient System Category

Added the following system patient category (System > Category > Scope: Patient):

• Highmark WC - Captures patients with a third party of Highmark WC

Added New Rx Triggers

Added the following Rx Triggers (Care Plan > Rx Triggers) These triggers will be Inactive by default and will need to be set Active when ready to be used. When these Care Goals and Categories are used with the following system Rx Triggers, Care Goals will automatically be added to patient's profile when the respective data is entered for a patient.

• HighWC HRA

• HighWC Medication Reconciliation

• HighWC Naloxone (Opioid)

• HighWC Naloxone (Naloxone)

• HighWC SDOH Screen

Added New eCare Plan Destination

Added the following care goal partner that will be Inactive by default (Location > My Location > Care Plan Options > Partners)

• CPESN - HighWC 

This new eCare Plan destination can be selected at the Submit eCare Plan window which can be accessed by navigating to

Patient > Edit Patient > Actions > eCare Plan > Submit eCare Plan

When the care goals are submitted, their respective submission rules will automatically submit an eCare Plan to CPESN-HighWC. The submission rules are inactive by default and will need to be set active for use. To access these submission rules, navigate to Location > My Location > Care Plan Options > Submission Rules.

Practical Use: CPESN PA is testing a new payer program with Highmark Wholecare. With the addition of these Care Goal templates and Rx triggers, PioneerRx pharmacies that participate in CPESN will be able to utilize these care goals to submit eCare Plans to this new CPESN partner. 

New Fields available on Account Transaction Excel Reports

Release Date: 09/26/2022

The following bound fields to the Account Transaction Excel Report report template:

PatientSSNLastFour (returns the value to the to the patient listed on the existing PatientName field)

DispensedItemDrugStrength (returns the value that correlates to DispensedItemName)

PrescriberNPI (returns the value that correlates to PrescriberName)

These bound fields will not be on any reports by default and will have to be manually added if needed.

Multiple AR Transaction reports utilize the Account Transaction Excel Report Template, including the Account Transaction Details with Rx for Excel. To run this report, navigate to Account > Search A/R Details, add appropriate search filters, and choose Account Transaction Details with Rx for Excel from the Reports menu.

Practical Use: The pharmacy partners with various programs to provide financial assistance for their patients. The ADAP (Aids Drug Assistance Program) program requires these additional fields to approve prescription assistance. By limiting the Account Transaction Search to a specific date range and AR Category, the pharmacy can now quickly produce an Excel sheet with all of the program requested data with no manual entry required.

Added the Alternate ID and Alternate Lot Number to the Rx Transaction Dispensed Item Details Report Template

Release Date: 09/22/2022

The AlternateID and AlternateLotNumber data fields are now available on the Rx Transaction Dispensed Item Details report template. This report template is used for Stock Label reports. When the pharmacy completes its Will Call maintenance, some prescriptions may need to be returned to stock. The Stock Label report will provide all of the required information to relabel the prescription vial for future dispensing on another prescription. For more information regarding Will Call Maintenance and returns, visit the Help File.

The AlternateID will display the alternate ID value found on the Compound Item by navigating to Item > Compound Item > Edit Compound Item. In the absence of an assigned NDC for a compound, the optional Alternate ID field allows pharmacies to assign a shorthand reference to a specific compound item throughout the system.

Note: The Alternate ID is also used with interfaced systems and robots, such as Eyecon.

The AlternateLotNumber will display the alternate lot number, an optional field that allows pharmacies to assign their own lot identification system from the sequential lot numbering assigned by the software. This can be found by navigating to Item > Add Compound Batch. 

These data fields will not be on any reports by default and must be manually added via the Report Designer if needed.

To generate the Stock Label report, navigate to Inventory > Stock Label.

Practical Use: The pharmacy filled a compound prescription of Magic Mouthwash for a patient that was never picked up. After reviewing the item in Will Call, the pharmacy returns this item to their inventory and prints a stock label. These data fields allow the pharmacy to view their alternate ID and alternate lot numbers on their stock label that references the identifiers the pharmacy actively uses throughout their workflow.

Date Written has been added to CancelRx Work Area

Release Date: 09/22/2022

The Date Written column has been added to the Match Medication Work Area for Cancel Rx. The Date Written will be on the grid by default and no action needed by the user.

This new Data Field can be found by navigating to Care Plan > External MTM > External Partner Name - Cancel Rx - Match Medication. 

Practical Use: When the pharmacy receives a CancelRx message, the user is prompted to match the external information with the corresponding medication from the matched patient's profile. In some cases the patient may have multiple records for the same drug in different statuses, seeing a clear indication of the most recently written prescription can help quickly identify the correct Rx to cancel. 



Updated the Med Sync Start On Field on the Patient Profile

Release Date: 09/21/2022

The Sync Started On field has been improved to now automatically populate during the enrollment process. Once the Sync Status is set to Enrolled, the Sync Started On date will default to today's date. Previously, this optional field required manual entry by selecting the More [...] button next to the Sync Status field. If no date was manually selected, this field would remain blank. If the user toggles a patient's Sync Status to Not Enrolled, then back to Enrolled, today's date will be applied to the Sync Start On date.

To enroll a patient into Med Sync, navigate to Patient > Edit Patient > Profile Tab > Sync Status: Enrolled. 

Note: The Sync Started On date can still be manually adjusted by selecting the [...] button next to the Sync Status field.

Practical Use: Adding the start date automatically when enrolling a patient in Med Sync ensures that the date of Sync enrollment is recorded. This will provide a consistent reference point to compare adherence before and after Med Sync enrollment. In the example above, the "Sync Started on: 3/15/2022" can be considered when looking for improvement in historic MPR calculations found at Patient > Profile > Care Plan > Measures > Detail.

Added the Patient Paid Amount Without Tax and the Price Paid to the Prescription Reject Label Report Template

Release Date: 09/21/2022

The PatientPaidAmountWithoutTax and PricePaid data fields are now available on the Prescription Reject Label report template. The PatientPaidAmountWithoutTax data field will display the amount the patient paid without taxes applied, and the PricePaid data field will display the amount paid, including fees. This information can be found on the Rx Profile by navigating to Rx > Edit Rx > Common Tab > Dispense Tab. These data fields will not be on any reports by default and must be manually added via the Report Designer if needed.

The Prescription Rx Edit Reject Label is used when the software rejects a prescription. To set the default Rx Edit Reject Fill and Refill label reports, navigate to Location > My Location > Rx Options > Form Options > Rx Edit Reject Fill/Refill Label.

Practical Use: An Rx Edit reject occurs when the software finds a problem with a prescription, such as attempting to fill a prescription that will cost the pharmacy money to fill. These data fields provide pharmacies with additional information that can be used to help explain the pricing to a patient, and why the prescription cannot be filled at the pharmacy.

Added the Date Written to the Patient Active Meds Report Templates

Release Date: 09/20/2022

The DateWritten data field is now available on the Patient Active Meds With OnHolds SubReport and Patient Active Meds With OnHolds and All Expired report templates. These subreport templates can be used on the Med Sync - Physician Outreach Fax report to include a list of all of the patient's active prescription history.  

The DateWritten data field will display the date that each prescription was written, which can be found on the Rx Profile by navigating to Rx > Edit Rx > Common Tab. This data field will not be on any reports by default and must be manually added via the Report Designer if needed.  

The Med Sync - Physician Outreach Fax can be generated on the Patient's Profile by navigating to Patient > Edit Patient > Reports. 

Practical Use: When a patient has changed their primary physician, pharmacies can provide the new physician with the patient's active medication history, and when their prescriptions were written. This report allows pharmacies to inform prescribers when a patient is enrolled in their med sync program and if any prescriptions are due for renewal.