Health Care Unburdened Grant Program
NLPDP Criteria Database Integrated with Med Access
As reported in June 2024, funding for the NLPDP Criteria Database Integration in Med Access Project was made possible by the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management Inc. and Scotiabank as part of the Health Care Unburdened Grant program. With this funding, the NLMA has worked with eDOCSNL and the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP) in the Department of Health and Community Services to integrate the NLPDP criteria for drug coverage and special authorization criteria with Med Access.
The NLMA, with eDOCSNL and CGI Canada, has developed a new NLPDP Criteria Database that will be launched in Med Access on or about June 23. From within the prescribing workspace, physicians and other prescribers using Med Access will see an additional panel for NLPDP, which shows if the drug is covered by NLPDP, if it requires special authorization, interchangeable products, the coverage criteria, and a link to the appropriate NLPDP form if it is within Med Access.
At a time when many physicians are experiencing increased administrative burden, particularly with the implementation of CorCare, this is a meaningful step toward simplifying prescribing workflows and reducing some of that strain. While modest, it represents a practical improvement in day-to-day practice.
NLPDP is now developing a portal for physicians and prescribers who do not use Med Access, which should be available in the fall. Pharmacists are currently using the portal. The NLMA and NLHS are also in discussions to include the NLPDP Criteria Database in CorCare.
Thank you to the physicians who provided advice to the NLMA in the development of the Criteria Database and those who are participating in its evaluation.
Health Care Unburdened Grant Announcement
Each year, physicians in Canada spend 18.5 million hours on unnecessary administrative tasks. We need to do better. In the fall of 2023, the NLMA applied for funding to create innovative solutions to enhance patient care by reducing administrative work and improving processes and practices. We are pleased to receive funding from the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management Inc. and Scotiabank as part of the Health Care Unburdened Grant program to reduce physicians’ administrative workload and better support them in caring for their patients.
The NLMA is one of 12 organizations to receive this funding. Our successful bid will enable integration of the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program’s Special authorization forms with Med Access, the provincial EMR. Physicians are required to fill out special authorization request forms for patients to access certain therapies covered under the Newfoundland and Labrador Prescription Drug Program (NLPDP). These have traditionally been filled out on paper, which is a time-consuming and inefficient process. The NLPDP is now working with its service provider to create an online portal where physicians can log in to complete and submit these forms electronically.
With funding received from the Health Care Unburdened Grant program, the NLMA will work with eDOCSNL, NLPDP and the Department of Health and Community Services to integrate the new NLPDP online portal with the provincial EMR to pre-populate forms automatically, to the extent possible. This integration will also help minimize the need for login credentials.
“As a family physician, I see first-hand the impact administrative burden can have on a medical practice. This integration will help improve physician efficiency in filling out the forms required for patient coverage under the provincial drug plan. By lessening unnecessary paperwork and administrative tasks, physicians can work toward avoiding burnout and can get back to the purpose of medical practice – caring for patients.” – Dr. David Metcalfe, family physician and NLMA Board Member
Stay tuned for more details as this project gets underway.
