Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan’s E-Prescribing Program

Medicare beneficiaries are not the only ones confronted with important choices in the face of the January 1, 2006, start date of Medicare’s new prescription drug plan. Oncology practices will also face a decision as to whether their physicians will make use of Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan’s e-prescribing program. Participation by physicians and pharmacies is optional; however, if they choose to participate, they must comply with the Electronic Prescribing Standards, which were published by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 7, 2005. “These standards will allow Medicare, physicians, hospitals, group practices, other health providers, and prescription drug plan sponsors and Medicare Advantage organizations to take advantage of e-prescribing technology, to improve medication prescribing for Medicare beneficiaries that participate in the new prescription drug program,” said Mike Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services. All Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan providers are required to support electronic prescribing, in an effort to encourage all physicians to eventually utilize this new and evolving technology.