CMS issues final e-prescribing rule

A final rule issued by the CMS that establishes new electronic prescribing standards under Medicare Part D is expected to save money for beneficiaries and improve their healthcare, the agency announced. The rule sets standards for four types of information: formulary and benefits, medication history, fill-status notification (a standard will allow providers to receive an e-mail notice from a pharmacy or other dispenser telling them that a patient’s prescription has been picked up, not picked up, or has been partially filled), and identification of individual healthcare providers.

The CMS expects that the conversion from a paper-based system to e-prescribing will help reduce the number of adverse drug events, which have been estimated at 530,000 a year for Medicare beneficiaries. The new e-prescribing standards will take effect on April 1, 2009.

The standards will apply to freestanding Medicare Prescription Drug Plan sponsors, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans and other Part D sponsors, as well as to prescribers and dispensers that electronically transmit prescriptions and prescription-related information about Part D covered drugs. To view the rule go to http://www.cms.hhs.gov/EPrescribing/