CMS Issues New EPrescribing Standards For Prescription Drug Program

Main Category: Medicare / Medicaid / SCHIP
Also Included In: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Article Date: 11 Apr 2008 - 1:00 PST

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently released regulations that establish new standards for Medicare Part D e-prescribing.

The new rule applies to all Part D sponsors, prescribers and dispensers that electronically send prescriptions and prescription-related information about Part D covered drugs for beneficiaries. The standards cover four areas: formulary and benefits, medication histories, fill status notification, and use of the National Provider Identifier.

CMS set April 1, 2009 as the deadline to comply with the standards.In comments on the proposed rule, ASHP warned the agency that the deadline would not allow sufficient time to implement the infrastructure needed for compliance. However, CMS indicated the deadline can't be extended under law.

ASHP also recommended CMS conduct a study to determine whether pharmacies are prepared to meet the standards. CMS acknowledged that recommendation in the final rule, and agreed to monitor feedback from efforts to meet the deadline. The agency would determine whether to take other actions based on the feedback.

In the coming year the ASHP Section of Pharmacy Informatics and Technology's clinical information systems advisory group will address e-prescribing and assess the impact the new standards will have on health-system practice.

American Society of Health-System Pharmacists