The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has adopted new electronic prescribing (eRx) standards that reflect key recommendations from the American Medical Association (AMA). This modernization is aimed at improving patient safety, reducing administrative burdens, and streamlining physician workflows.

The updated regulations governing e-prescribing technology, including electronic health records (EHRs), introduce a single, modernized system designed to reduce medication errors, expedite prior authorization responses, and eliminate outdated administrative tasks.

“This is exactly the kind of smart policy that emerges when physician experience with their patients informs government regulation,” said AMA President Bobby Mukkamala, MD. “These upgrades will significantly reduce friction in the prescribing process, helping physicians deliver safer, faster, and more effective care of our patients.”

HHS’s new policy closely follows AMA's comprehensive recommendations, incorporating critical features such as updated prescribing directions, precise product identifiers, and real-time access to current prescription data. These enhancements support more accurate dispensing, reduce the potential for error, and improve patient outcomes.

To ensure a smooth transition, HHS has aligned its 2028 compliance deadline with that of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — another milestone the AMA championed. EHR developers can begin adopting and integrating the new technology immediately, ensuring they are on track for the 2028 deadline. By retiring the old eRx technology on that same date, HHS gives physicians and electronic health record developers a clear, synchronized roadmap, eliminating the risk of dueling federal timelines.