|
|
|
|
ACTION ALERTTamper-resistant Rx Pads Required for Medicaid Prescriptions as of April 1stEffective April 1, 2008, all handwritten Medicaid prescriptions must be written on tamper-resistant prescription pads as part of a new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requirement mandated by the U.S. Congress. To help you meet this new requirement, UMA has contracted with Rx Security, a company that prints compliant prescription pads that meet and exceed all state and federal requirements. UMA has negotiated a 15 percent member discount on these compliant pads and they can be ordered through the UMA website at http://www.rxsecurity.com/utah/form1.html or by calling 1-800-667-9723. Non-members can also order pads through the UMA website, but they will not receive the exclusive discounted rate. The new federal law requires that all Medicaid prescriptions be written on tamper-resistant pads that have one or more industry-recognized features that prevent unauthorized copying, erasure or other modification, or counterfeiting. Tamper Resistant Prescription Pad Security Features include:
UMA suggests that you place your orders immediately so that Rx Security can complete them as soon as possible. If you are not able to obtain your order by the October 1st deadline, you can phone, fax or use e-prescribing for your Medicaid prescriptions until you receive these pads, since CMS has deemed electronic, phoned or faxed prescriptions exempt from this requirement. The UMA has chosen Rx Security for their competitive pricing which includes shipping, setup fees and other associated costs, and their experience working with other state medical associations. If you prefer to use a local Utah vendor, some which print tamper-resistant pads include Advantage Business Systems (800-852-5565), IC Group (800-733-4277, ext. 175), Prestige Business Systems (800-794-6419) and University of Utah Printing Services (801-581-6171, ask for Cory). A Provo vendor that has been recommended is Hiatt Printing (801-373-2923). A few additional sources (out of state) include Standard Register, ScriptShield and NationalRx. A search on the web for “tamper-resistant prescription pads” will reveal many other companies dedicated to printing these pads. A company called Medi-Scripts will provide advertiser-sponsored tamper-resistant pads that have drug advertising on every fifth page to physicians of certain specialties free of charge (Call 1-800-387-3636 or visit www.medi-scripts-services.com for details.). Additional information about the CMS requirement, including answers to questions regarding emergency prescriptions, electronic or faxed prescriptions, etc. may be found on the CMS web site at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/SMDL/downloads/SMD081707.pdf and at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/DeficitReductionAct/Downloads/Tamper.pdf.
Overriding Medicaid PDL is possible, but only when medically necessaryRemember, Utah has recently instituted a Preferred Drug List (PDL) for Medicaid prescriptions. Therefore, your prescriptions may be filled with a generic equivalent unless the words “Medically necessary – dispense as written” are legibly written in the prescriber’s own handwriting on the prescription form. The medical necessity for overriding the PDL must also be documented in the patient’s chart. UMA has just learned that Medicaid has already seen savings from physicians complying with the PDL, which has translated into a slight increase in physician reimbursement as UMA had negotiated for as being tied to the savings. |
Comments or questions regarding the UMA Web site should be directed to Mark Fotheringham, UMA V.P. of Communications; phone (801)747-3500 or email to mark@utahmed.org Copyright © 2007 Mark Fotheringham |
Back to
UMA Home Page