On April 7, CMS is publishing a regulation establishing Part D electronic prescribing standards for four types of information: formulary and benefits, medication history, fill status notification, and identification of individual health care providers. Prescribers, dispensers, and plan sponsors are not required to implement e prescribing under Part D, but those who do must comply with the new Medicare standards when using e-prescribing to send prescriptions and prescription related information for covered drugs prescribed for Part D eligible individuals. These standards supplement a set of “foundation” standards published in 2005 and effective beginning in 2006 that addressed the exchange of Part D information related to eligibility inquiries and responses; new prescriptions; and changes, renewals, and cancellations of existing prescriptions. A press release with additional information is available here.
