Which DAW indicator is appropriate for online adjudication if a physician has handwritten DAW on a prescription?

The appropriate Dispense As Written (DAW) indicator for a prescription where a physician has handwritten "DAW" is 1. This indicates that the prescriber has specified that the medication must be dispensed as written, without any substitutions allowed. When a physician writes "DAW" on the prescription, they are emphasizing that the patient should receive the specific brand or formulation they have prescribed, which often pertains to brand-name drugs where a generic alternative may be available.

Using the DAW indicator of 1 during online adjudication correctly communicates to the pharmacy system and insurance payer that the prescription is to be filled exactly as prescribed, ensuring compliance with the prescriber's intent and avoiding any substitutions that might otherwise occur with a generic drug. This is crucial for both the patient’s safety and the effectiveness of the treatment plan as determined by the physician.

Other indicators would not accurately represent the physician's intent in this scenario. For instance, DAW indicator 0 would imply that the prescriber allows substitutions, which contradicts the physician's handwritten instruction. Thus, the DAW of 1 is specifically designed for situations where the prescriber has clearly indicated the need for no substitutions.