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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Tamper-Resistant Rx Pads

Important Information Regarding Tamper-Resistant Prescription Pads

A very recent change in federal law requires that all non-electronic Medicaid prescriptions be written on tamper-resistant prescription pads effective October 1, 2007. 

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is currently developing an implementation plan. It is HFS's intent to implement this new provision while ensuring the least disruption for physicians, pharmacies, and patients. HFS's primary concern is to ensure that patient care is not disrupted, and to help ensure that this requirement does not cause a significant burden for providers.

Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide guidance on this topic.  The guidance will be posted to this Web site once the Department receives it.  Because of the short timeframe for implementation, and absent the guidance, HFS is proceeding with development of an implementation plan.  HFS will be as flexible as possible and will be sensitive to the concerns of the provider community, within the boundaries set by federal guidance.  HFS will amend our Administrative Rules, and will send out provider notices. 

HFS has received many questions from the provider community. The Administrative Rules and the provider notices will address some of the issues causing concern for the provider community. A question and answer document will also be posted to the Department's Web site.