Dear Practitioner Letter Announcing the Online Practitioner Notification Program

April 5, 2010

Dear Practitioner:

On behalf of the New York State Department of Health (Department), I am pleased to announce that the Department's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement is automating its Practitioner Notification Program to allow practitioners to have secure online access to certain of their patients' recent controlled substance prescription histories. Effective today, practitioners can view controlled substance prescription information through their Health Commerce System (HCS) account if the patient has received controlled substance prescriptions from two or more practitioners and filled them at two or more pharmacies during the previous calendar month. Direct secure access to this information will allow practitioners to better evaluate patients' treatment with controlled substances and determine whether there may be abuse or nonlegitimate use.

In order to use the new automated system, prescribers of controlled substances must have or establish an HCS online account. Instructions on how to establish an account are available at: https://hcsteamwork1.health.state.ny.us/pub/top.html. Practitioners who already have an HCS account can use it to access the new automated system. Note: The HCS was formerly known as the Health Provider Network (HPN) and is located at https://commerce.health.state.ny.us. Instructions on how to access the Practitioner Notification Program will be found on the "Practitioners" page online.

In addition to direct access to patients' controlled substance prescription information, an HCS account holder may also take advantage of the following benefits:

  • Order ONYSRXs online with faster delivery. Account holders may also order official prescription paper for electronic medical record systems;
  • Obtain information on Department initiatives such as ServNY, which is a registry of health care and mental health professionals who wish to volunteer during an emergency or major disaster; and
  • Access to important Department News Bulletins, Press Releases and Hot Topics.

If you have questions about the program or about establishing an HCS account, please call the Department's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement toll-free at 1-866-811-7957, option 4.

Sincerely,

Richard F. Daines, M.D.
Commissioner of Health