So in Australia, Each user has a single “provider number” and multiple prescriber numbers depending on the location. What I have been trying and failing at is somehow implementing this. Basically depending what facility the user is at to what prescriber number they use for invoices etc. So far I have a new table which has an id, user_id, facility_id and the prescriber number. I was hoping for some ideas or if someone could put something together to get this working? Im not sure where to actually implement this, I was looking at the “practices” in admin but that uses the old smarty engine, or somehow integrating it into the user section.
In the states, each provider has a DEA numbers and license number for prescribing. Each provider also gets an NPI number, which I think is used for billing services(the NPI actually confuses me; I have one but am not very clear where it’s used).
A per facility physician ID number I’m guessing may be useful even in some places in the states (perhaps institutions may use different physician/employer ID’s at different places). I agree the easiest place to incorporate is in the Administration->Users screen and placing in an independent table sounds like a good idea. Agree the practices section would be tough because it’s smarty and because there’s no real per-facility code there (if your id was per insurance, then would be a different story).
Something that would be helpful to know is what the prescriber number is specifically used for? Prescriptions, billing etc? ie. is it more akin to the DEA vs. state licence vs. NPI number in the states. If it’s similar to one, then could have a default setting (which is taken from the current field) and have option to assign separate ones for facilities.
Ok so scrap that first post, I had it all back to front.
Each Doctor is initially given a single Presciber Number, This number allows them to prescribe medications from phramacies, and allow patients to revcieve subsidised medications from the pharmacy. This prescriber number is usually only ever found on prescriptions.
The doctor then has to have a provider number for each location that he/she is working at. This allows them to provide services that are subsidised by the government. The provider number also helps the government know what locations services are being provided. This number is usually used for billing. So depending on what location/facility is used to which number is used.
So, it’s basically “Facility Provider IDs” (or even something like “Facility Employer IDs”, which can then be applicable to all the users). If labeled something like this, then I’m guessing it would be a nice feature applicable for many uses(ie. not only specific to Australian use). Are you doing the billing in OpenEMR? I’ll plan to look through the code soon.
Yes I am trying to understand the billing or trying to make it a lot simpler to use. Currently it is very complicated if you just want a simple invoice. On our current software, you create an invoice with the required service, and print… If you need to reprint an invoice its easy too, as all past invoices show up within the patient screen. (If that makes sense?) There is none of this checkout etc as this is run through a seperate POS system.