3 Ways Pharmacies Can Ensure a Stress-Free Audit

Posted on May 28, 2024

Audits can be time-consuming and stressful, especially complex business audits. Over the years, pharmacy audits have become increasingly common, making them virtually impossible to avoid, despite your best efforts. Plus, if your pharmacy is already stretched thin being audited can be even more challenging. Fortunately, there are things you can do proactively to ensure any future audits go as smoothly as possible. Here are three ways pharmacies can ensure a stress-free audit: 

Maintain Thorough Digital Documentation

Many Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) now perform virtual audits, enabling them to review more claims – in more detail – than ever before. As a result, pharmacies are being asked to provide larger amounts of data each time they’re audited. Obtaining and submitting this information can be a tedious, time-consuming task, especially if the pharmacy doesn’t have a system in place to capture, store and retrieve vital documentation. Utilizing digital documentation is an easy, effective way to organize your pharmacy records. In fact, you can leverage your BestRx software to:

• • • Receive and process electronic prescriptions.
    • Submit prior authorizations and claims to payors.
    • Create eCare plans and other patient counseling notes.
    • Store patient and prescription records.
    • Capture and save images, faxes and more.

These electronic records make it much easier and faster to locate the documents you need in the event of an audit.

Focus on Timeliness and Accuracy

Small mistakes can cost you big during an audit. Whether it’s a simple data entry error or delayed task completion, auditors will look for any excuse to deny payment. That’s why it’s important to use your pharmacy software to:

• • • Automate as much of your workflow as possible – eliminating the risk of manual-entry errors.
    • Enable verification prompts throughout the fulfillment process. This ensures multiple check points and eyes are on each script before it’s dispensed to the patient.
    • Display refill too soon, allergy or medication interaction warnings, as well as prior authorization and coverage/eligibility alerts. That way, your team is aware of potential issues and can take action when needed.
    • Guide your pharmacy staff through each fulfillment stage, ensuring no missed steps and that each required task is completed.

These are just a few of the ways BestRx not only helps you work faster and more efficiently but enhances patient safety and prevents costly mistakes as well.

Keep Up with Legislative Changes

While it can be easy to get swept up in the hectic, day-to-day activity at your store, it’s important to be aware of what’s happening outside the four walls of your pharmacy as well. In recent years, pharmacies have experienced significant shifts in their scope of care and with local and national legislation. If you’re not keeping up with changes in the industry, you may be leaving yourself open to unnecessary audits and fines. In addition to monitoring the news, talking to your peers, and checking in with pharmacy groups like the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA), your pharmacy software can also help you stay compliant, with your:

• • Auto Refill programs, including obtaining patient consent.
  • Inventory management, including all DSCSA requirements.
  • Controlled medication and vaccine reporting.

Plus, our user-friendly system makes it easy for you to train your staff on any new requirements, integrations, and workflow steps too.

While avoiding an audit altogether may not be realistic, there are several ways you can ensure your pharmacy is prepared when the inevitable happens. Request a free demo to learn more about how BestRx’s award-winning software makes it simple to document, store and retrieve vital information and stay compliant.