HHS releases standards report

The HHS report based on five pilot projects and released this week recommended that three proposed new standards for electronic prescribing be adopted for healthcare transactions conducted under Medicare Part D and that implementation of three other proposed standards be delayed. The endorsed standards cover electronic transmission of medication history, patient health plan drug formulary and benefits, and prescription fill status. The proposed standards deemed not ready for implementation involved prior authorization where physicians must certify that patients meet specific criteria for using a drug before its prescription will be covered, a standardized format for patient instructions for how much and how often they should take their prescribed medication, and standards for a drug name, dose and form. One of the five pilots involved physicians and health care partners from the Northern Ohio area. To view the reports go to: http://e.ccialerts.com/a/hBGJ6JqAIyhSgAa0kNPAXXomj.Aa0kvLjR/cdb12