Controlled Substance Reporting System

NC HealthConnex is working with the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services and Appriss Health to build a single sign-on to the NC HealthConnex clinical portal utilizing the Appriss interface.

This integration will create an additional pathway for providers to access the state’s prescription-drug monitoring program, Controlled Substances Reporting System (CSRS), and help combat the opioid epidemic in North Carolina.

Combatting Opioid Misuse

Per the Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act of 2017 (NCSL 2017-74), health care providers in North Carolina who prescribe controlled substances must access a patient report from the CSRS to verify a patient’s prescription-fill history of controlled substances prior to writing prescriptions for targeted controlled substances.

Important Notice for North Carolina Prescribers: Mandatory Use Is In Effect

As of July 7, 2021 section § 90-113.74C. of the Strengthen Opioid Misuse Prevention (STOP) Act of 2017 (NCSL 2017-74) is in effect. This section, commonly referred to as Mandatory Use describes the circumstances that the controlled substances reporting system (CSRS) must be reviewed and documented.

When Do You Need to Use the System?

Prior to initially prescribing a targeted controlled substance to a patient, review the information in the CSRS pertaining to the patient for the 12-month period preceding that initial prescription. For every subsequent three-month period that the targeted controlled substance remains a part of the patient's medical care, the information in the CSRS must be reviewed again.  Each review of the CSRS must be documented in the patient’s record.

What Is the NC HIEA’s/NC HealthConnex Role?

The option of integrating with NC HealthConnex is made available by a partnership with NC DHHS and APPRISS allowing providers the ability to access the CSRS directly within the NC HealthConnex web-based clinical portal. This integration creates a single sign-on capability that eliminates a provider’s need to log into a separate system if their electronic health record (EHR) software is not fully integrated with the CSRS. This integration is especially helpful for health care providers who do not have an EHR that is capable of integrating directly with the CSRS using the Gateway Integration application programming interface (API).

End users already accessing the NC HealthConnex clinical portal who fall under the STOP Act requirements can view the CSRS report, along with the risk scores, without leaving the clinical portal. This simple process does not require the user to log in to another system outside of NC HealthConnex and is integrated into the clinical portal workflow.

How NC HealthConnex Helps Meet the STOP Act Requirement

  • Providers should visit https://info.apprisshealth.com/ncgatewayintegrationrequest and select NC HealthConnex in the dropdown menu as their preference for connection within the integration request form. 
    *Note: Providers need to be full participants of NC HealthConnex to choose this option. Complete the terms and conditions agreement, which will be sent by N.C. Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) to you via email within 24-48 hours. 
  • There are no hidden EHR fees for integration with NC HealthConnex.
  • Submit your integration request via the "Integration request form" link on the page noted above.
  • Ensure that you identify a primary contact (the person leading the project within your health care organization), as well as a contact for your software vendor.
  • You must first complete all documents before NCDHHS will review your request.
  • Wait for your request to be approved for integration with NC HealthConnex by NCDHHS.
  • Once approved by NCDHHS, NC HIEA will be notified and will communicate with the primary contact listed on the integration request form.
  • All providers will also need to be registered for the NC CSRS website, if you are not registered you can do so by going to http://northcarolina.pmpaware.net/login, and clicking on "Create an account" and following the instructions. *Note: Provider information used to register with NC CSRS website will have to match the provider's information in NC HealthConnex. 

For additional information on NC CSRS, please visit https://www.ncdhhs.gov/divisions/mhddsas/ncdcu/csrs. For technical assistance on how to use the CSRS, please email CSRS.Utilization@dhhs.nc.gov. For more information on how to leverage NC HealthConnex to meet the STOP Act mandatory use requirements, please email hiea@nc.gov. 

This information can be found in General Assembly of North Carolina, House Bill 243 §90-113.74C and D.