what is a cures "patient activity report"

by Nicholaus Mitchell 5 min read

Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation …

6 hours ago CURES 101. AB 679 (Allen, Chapter 778, Statutes of 2015) was signed into law by Governor Brown and is effective immediately. ... The Guidelines also recommend that physicians document, in their medical records, that they requested a Patient Activity Report (PAR) from CURES and the outcome of such report. Upgrading CURES: CURES 2.0 . Recently ... >> Go To The Portal


CURES Patient Activity Report (PAR)  Prescribing and dispensing history of Schedule II-IV controlled substances.  Registered prescribers and dispensers can quickly review a patient’s controlled substance history.

As part of this process, the pharmacist will print out a Patient Activity Report (PAR) from CURES (using their own log-on) for any patients that have controlled substances on their active medication list. These printouts are given to the physician for review during the appointment, saving time for the physician.

Full Answer

What is the purpose of a patient activity report?

CURES Patient Activity Report (PAR)  Prescribing and dispensing history of Schedule II-IV controlled substances.  Registered prescribers and dispensers can quickly review a patient’s controlled substance history.  Enables a prescriber to identify and prevent drug abuse through accurate & rapid tracking.

Who can access information in cures?

Access to CURES is strictly limited. Licensed health care practitioners and licensed pharmacists may access information in CURES only for patients under their care.

What is cures?

CURES was initiated, operating in parallel with the TPP’s Automated Triplicate Prescription System (ATPS) to evaluate the comparative efficiencies between the two systems. CURES replaced the TPP/ATPS and began capturing Schedules II through IV prescription information.

What is the Cures Act and why is it important?

The Cures Act ensures that patients have immediate access to their records – beyond just a copy of their health records, but also all clinical notes and lab results. The key function of the CURES Act is to ensure that patient information and healthcare data is not only accessible, but also easily and securely shared.

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What is the CURES System?

California’s Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES), allows authorized physicians, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies to view information on Schedule II – V controlled substances dispensed to patients in California. Pharmacists and direct dispensers are required to report information on all Schedule II – V controlled substances dispensed and must do so within one working day of dispensing. The information is then uploaded into CURES. The CURES system has provided prescribers and dispensers with Schedule II – V prescription data via an online web portal since 2009. The system, as currently configured, provides authorized prescribers and dispensers who have registered on the system with prescription detail for an individual patient’s prescription records (Patient Activity Report, or PAR), which includes the patient’s name, date of birth, and address; drug name, form, strength, quantity, dispensing pharmacy name and license number; prescriber DEA Certificate number; prescriber name, prescription number; refill number; and date of dispense. A physician can use this information for multiple purposes, including identifying a patient who may be a “doctor shopper,” viewing medications dispensed to the patient that were prescribed by other physicians, and providing a complete picture of Scheduled drugs dispensed to a patient.

What is CURES 101?

This bill amends existing law that requires all health care practitioners that are authorized to prescribe, order, administer, furnish or dispense Schedule II, III, or IV controlled substances and pharmacists ...

How much is the CURES fee in 2021?

Effective April 1, 2021, the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) fee will increase from $6 to $11 annual ly for a period of two years. The increase will be applied to licenses expiring after July 1, 2021, and is assessed at the time of license renewal on specified licensees of DCA allied health boards that prescribe, order, administer, furnish, or dispense Schedule II, Schedule III, Schedule IV, or Schedule V controlled substances.

How long does it take to report a controlled substance?

Revised Reporting Requirements for Controlled Substances – The dispensing of a controlled substance must be reported to the Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES) within one working day after the medication is released to the patient or the patient’s representative. Previously, the deadline to report was seven days after dispensing. Further, this law requires reporting of Schedule V drugs, in addition to Schedules II, III, and IV. This requirement applies to pharmacists and prescribers who dispense controlled substances.

What Schedules are required to report drugs?

Further, this law requires reporting of Schedule V drugs, in addition to Schedules II, III, and IV. This requirement applies to pharmacists and prescribers who dispense controlled substances.

Can a California prescriber register with CURES?

Only licensed California prescribers and dispensers can register with CURES. ( NOTE: If you are with a law enforcement agency or regulatory board and need CURES access, please contact the CURES helpdesk at CURES@doj.ca.gov or (916) 210-3187). To register, licensed prescribers and dispensers will need:

What information do I need to register for CURES 2.0?

The CURES 2.0 online registration form requires you to provide a valid email address, dentist license number and DEA registration number. The Department of Justice (DOJ) will then confirm your identity and licenses with the dental board and DEA to complete the registration process.

How often do you need to check the cures database?

If the controlled substance remains part of the patient’s treatment, the dentist must subsequently check the CURES database prior to writing another prescription and every six months while the substance is part of the patient’s treatment. The CURES patient activity report must be pulled no earlier than 24 hours prior to prescribing.

Why am I required to register for CURES? What is its purpose?

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration to register to access the CURES 2.0 prescription drug-monitoring program. CURES 2.0 is a database of patient controlled substance history information and can assist prescribers in identifying situations that may be prescription drug abuse.

What CURES functions may be delegated to staff?

Staff officially registered with CURES as a “delegate” to the “parent” prescriber or dispenser user may initiate a search for the patient activity report (PAR). Only the “parent” prescriber or dispenser user can view the actual report containing the patient’s history. Prescribers and dispensers can view, add and remove delegates from their own user profiles.

Where can I learn more about CURES 2.0?

The DOJ has training videos, FAQs and a user guide available at oag.ca.gov/CURES, which are particularly helpful for first- time CURES users. The user guide includes information on how staff members may assist with record searches, how to save searches, how to receive patient activity alerts, how to communicate with other prescribers and dispensers, and much more.

What is the DOJ's role in the database?

The state DOJ is tasked with auditing the database and its users. Dissemination or distribution of the controlled substance history information to anyone other than the registered user is prohibited. HIPAA and all confidentiality and disclosure provisions of state law cover the information contained in the database. All users must comply with state and federal health information privacy laws. Disciplinary, civil or criminal actions will be taken by the DOJ or the appropriate licensing agency for any misuse or inappropriate access of patient data.

Can a dentist run a CURES report?

After a list is created, a dentist can go back into the system and run separate CURES reports for each patient on the list if more information is needed. If a dentist discovers a prescription in the CURES report that they did not prescribe, the dentist should contact the pharmacy as well as the California State Board of Pharmacy.

How often do you need to run a patient activity report?

A. As a provider, you are required to run a patient activity report within 24 hours, or the previous business day, before prescribing, ordering, or administering a controlled substance. In addition, you must query the database at least once every four months if the controlled substance remains a part of your patient’s treatment plan.

What happens if a provider fails to consult with a CURES?

A. If a provider fails to consult CURES, it is a violation of the law and could result in a citation or fine, or be a cause of accusation that leads to disciplinary action.

How long is a controlled substance non refillable?

In the emergency department of a general acute hospital and the controlled substance does not exceed a non-refillable seven day supply

Can you consult CURES database?

A. Yes, there are a few exceptions. You are exempt from consulting the CURES database in any of the following circumstances: While the patient is admitted to, or during an emergency transfer to, a licensed clinic, outpatient setting, health facility or county medical facility.

What is the purpose of the California Prescription Drug Monitoring Program?

The mission of the California Prescription Drug Monitoring Program ( PDMP) is to eliminate pharmaceutical drug diversion in the state while promoting legitimate medical practice and quality patient care.

What is PDMP in Cures?

PDMP introduced as a searchable, client-facing component of CURES.

When was the California Triplicate Prescription Program created?

The California Triplicate Prescription Program (TPP) was created in 1939 , capturing Schedule II prescription information. CURES was initiated, operating in parallel with the TPP’s Automated Triplicate Prescription System (ATPS) to evaluate the comparative efficiencies between the two systems.

Who can provide data to the Department of Justice?

Data may be provided to public or private entities, as approved by the Department of Justice, for educational, peer review, statistical, or research purposes, provided that patient information, including any information that may identify the patient, is not compromised.

What is the purpose of the CURES Act?

The key function of the CURES Act is to ensure that patient information and healthcare data is not only accessible, but also easily and securely shared. This is where Unified Practice comes in. Our technology has always been compliant and secure in the import and export of patient information. Unified Practice is here to ensure you are compliant ...

What is the cures act 2021?

As of April 5, 2021 the Cures Act requires that all healthcare providers give patients immediate access to their health information, free of charge. This means that information blocking is prohibited. If you receive a request for patient information from a patient or another provider, you are required to provide the information.

What is the 21st century cures act?

With the 21st Century Cures Act, an EHR seems like the perfect solution – so long as the EHR you select is able to meet the demands of securely sharing patient records and is in compliance with the Cures Act. The Cures Act ensures that patients have immediate access to their records – beyond just a copy of their health records, ...

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What Is Cures?

  • The Controlled Substance Utilization Review and Evaluation System (CURES), maintained by the Department of Justice (DOJ), is a platform that tracks all Schedule II – V controlled substances dispensed to patients in California. Authorized prescribers, pharmacists, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies can view information in CURES including: 1. p...
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Cures Registration at A Glance

Cures Access

  • Once you receive DOJ email notification of your approved registration, you can access CURES 2.0 through DOJ’s CURES 2.0 Login. Reference the Prescriber and Dispenser User Guidefor detailed information about navigating and using CURES 2.0. Internet Explorer Information: Effective April 2022, the Internet Explorer web browser will no longer be allowed to access CURES. Additional d…
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Data Submission Requirements

  • For data submission instructions or assistance with transmission issues, please contact: Atlantic Associates, Inc. – CURES Prescription Data Collection Vendor Email: data@aainh.com Website: http://www.aainh.com/CACures.html Toll Free: (800) 539-3370 Phone: (603) 627-7829 Fax: (877) 508-6704
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Es Upgrade: Cures 2.0

  • CURES Certification On January 8, 2016, the DOJ released the CURES 2.0 system upgrade. This upgrade offers a significantly improved user experience and increased functionality: 1. Allow approved delegates to run patient report queries for access by prescribers and dispensers 2. Send peer-to-peer communications 3. Receive patient alerts
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For More Information

  • To learn more about CURES 2.0, visit the following links: 1. PDMP/CURES Homepage 2. Frequently Asked Questions 3. Publications and Training Videos 4. CURES 2.0 Webinar Recording for prescribers and dispensers – Wednesday, September 12, 2018
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