Effective July 1, 2013, all paper prescriptions in Massachusetts must be
written on pads that contain each of the following:
- one or more industry-recognized features designed
to prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form;
- one or more industry-recognized features designed
to prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the
prescription by the prescriber;
-
one or more industry-recognized features designed
to prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms.
Complying with the Regulation
- Locate a vendor. Your current vendor may be able to
provide secure pads for you.
- In the event a compliant prescription must be written and the
new pads are not available, fax or phone the script in.
- A proactive approach might include exploring e-prescribing,
which can often be provided free and is one of the exceptions
provided.
Computer-Generated Prescriptions
MassHealth has received requests for additional guidance on
computer-generated prescriptions using sequentially numbered blanks
and barcodes to meet the tamper-resistant requirements. After a
recent discussion with CMS, MassHealth has approved the following
features to satisfy the tamper-resistant prescription requirement.
Feature | Description | Quantity border and fill (for
computer-generated prescriptions on paper only) | Quantities are surrounded by
special characters, such as an asterisk, to prevent alteration,
e.g. QTY **50**. Values may also be expressed as text, e.g.,
(FIFTY). | Refill border and fill (for
computer-generated prescriptions on paper only) | Refill quantities are surrounded
by special characters, such as an asterisk, to prevent alteration,
e.g. QTY **5**. Values may also be expressed as text, e.g.,
(FIVE). | Quantity check-off boxes | In addition to the written
quantity on the prescription, quantities are indicated in ranges.
It is recommended that ranges be in increments of 25, with the
highest range being "151 and over." The box corresponding to the
quantity prescribed MUST be checked for the prescription to be
valid. |
|
Source: MassHealth
Exceptions
- Electronically delivered prescriptions, including faxed,
e-prescribed and telephone scripts.
- Prescriptions provided in institutional or clinical settings
where the prescription is reimbursed as part of a bundled payment
rate
Some Vendors to Consider
