Verifying for EPCS and eRx

ID.me offers healthcare provider identity verification and authentication for Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances (EPCS) and ePrescribing (eRx). To simplify user enrollment, identity proofing, and multi-factor authentication in EPCS and eRx workflows, ID.me uses an identity proofing and authentication process for medical providers that are compliant with US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) EPCS regulations. This article explains how to verify for EPCS and eRX.

Before you verify

To verify for EPCS and eRx, you will need:

• A smartphone that has a camera or a computer with a webcam.
• Email address
• Social Security number
• Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or passport card)
• Medical credentials (National Provider Identifier number, Drug Enforcement Administration number, or DEA schedule)

Verify your identity

To access an EPCS or eRx organization, you may be asked to verify your identity and your medical provider status. If you are not able to verify using self service, you will finish verification on a video call with an ID.me Video Chat Agent.

1. Begin with your medical provider portal

Verification for EPCS starts with your medical provider portal. If you are asked to verify your identity with ID.me, continue to step 2.

2. Sign in or create an ID.me account

If you have an ID.me account, sign in using your email address and password. You may already have an ID.me account if you created one for another EPCS or eRx software, another organization such as the IRS, or for an ID.me community, such as a nurse or medical provider.

If you don’t have an ID.me account, create one to continue. To create a new ID.me account:

1. Enter your personal email address and password, then select Create account.
2. Confirm your email address. For more information, visit Confirming your email address.
3. Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) to further protect your account. For step-by-step instructions for setting up MFA, select one of the following MFA methods:
   • Push Notification
   • Code Generator
   • Security Key
   • NFC-Enabled Security Key
   • Passkey (only available for ePrescribing non-controlled substances)
   • Text Message or Phone Call (only available for ePrescribing non-controlled substances)

3. Verify your identity

To access EPCS and eRx, you’ll first need to verify your identity using ID.me. If you’ve verified your identity in the past, and are not prompted to verify again, continue to Medical provider check. Otherwise, to verify your identity:

1. Choose a verification method by selecting which photo ID you'd like to upload. Acceptable documents include driver’s license, state ID, passport, and passport card.
2. If prompted, enter your phone number. ID.me will send you a confirmation text from a 5 digit number. Select the link in the text message to continue with your verification.
3. Upload photos of your document. For most documents, you need to upload the front and back of your documents.
4. Take and submit a video selfie.
   
5. Enter your Social Security number if you are creating a new account.

4. Review and confirm your information

To complete the verification process, you must review your information and give consent for your data to be shared back to your EPCS or eRx provider. To complete verification:

1. Review your information.
2. Select Confirm.

5. Medical provider check (if applicable)

Depending on your Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances (EPCS) or ePrescribing (eRx) healthcare IT provider, you may be prompted to provide medical credential information after you verify your identity. If prompted, complete the medical credential check by providing your credentials as requested. To verify your status as a medical provider, input your:

• NPI number
• DEA number (Only required for EPCS)
• DEA schedule (Only required for EPCS)

6. Share your information

Select Allow and continue to share your information with your EPCS provider. After you do this, you’ll be verified.

What if I was unable to verify my identity?

If you were unable to complete the identity verification process, you will be routed to verify your identity over a video call with a Trusted Referee. You will need to show your identity documents to a Trusted Referee to complete your identity verification.