New prescription law to take effect
As of Tuesday, orders are to be written on tamper-resistant paper
The Post and Courier
New prescription pads will be in use at MUSC and are printed on tamper-resistant paper to reduce prescription fraud.
Prescription cheaters beware. As of April 1, all Medicaid prescriptions must be written on tamper-resistant pads.
The move could save taxpayers up to $355 million in the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
After a six-month delay of the initial enforcement date, Oct. 1 2007, most in the medical community seem well-prepared for the switch.
"There's no indication they're not ready for the change," said Jeff Stensland, director of public information for the state's Medicaid agency.
Judi Bucknam, manager of Medical University of South Carolina's 20 adult medical surgical clinics, said that the whole hospital will go over to the tamper-resistant prescription pads Tuesday.
Before, prescriptions were written on regular laser jet printer paper, she said. A ream of regular paper runs about $6, she said. The new paper costs $64 a ream.
Where that money will come from is not clear. "The cost has to be taken in by somebody," she said.
Under the law, three industry standards must be applied. To prevent unauthorized copying, the paper can have watermarks, a micro-printed border or use thermochromatic ink, which disappears when rubbed.
To ensure against modification, background ink will show if someone tries to erase.
Finally, to prevent the production of counterfeit prescriptions, paper can be sequentially numbered, or again, micro-printed borders or thermochromatic ink can be used.
Only one of the three requirements must be met by April 1 and all three by Oct. 1, but many are making the complete change now, Bucknam said. The new rules do not apply to prescriptions given over the phone, by fax or electronically.
Dr. Marshall Newton of West Ashley said his office, like many, gets prescription pads for free through a mail order system. For years, he's selected the tamper-resistant option.
"I would think most doctors are ready for this," Newton said.
But where the enforcement will play out is at the pharmacist's counter. The pharmacist would not be reimbursed unless the prescription is written on tamper-resistant paper, said Dr. Wayne Weart, professor of pharmacy and family medicine at MUSC.
"The pharmacist would have to call the doctor's office and get a telephone prescription," Weart said. "It puts in a hassle factor that costs the pharmacy more time and effort."
Reach Jill Coley at 937-5719 or jcoley@postandcourier.com.
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RTC (anonymous) says...
Before, prescriptions were written on regular laser jet printer paper, she said. A ream of regular paper runs about $6, she said. The new paper costs $64 a ream.
Where that money will come from is not clear. "The cost has to be taken in by somebody," she said.
Yes, the taxpayers; but if it can save us upward $355 million in a ten year period, it is worth it.
March 31, 2008 at 8:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gencon1 (anonymous) says...
If they have to purchase 1 million reams of paper a year, it will cost 640 million dollars to save 355 million.
How many prescriptions are really faked?
March 31, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofsix (anonymous) says...
Medicaid needs to check to see how much so called PAIN medication is going through Medicaid and on only one person. I have turned in one pregnant women to her dentist and her OB-GYN and she still getting the medicaiation thats what is costing here
March 31, 2008 at 12:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reality_woman (anonymous) says...
Look there are tons of fakers out there working in an ER I see it day in and day out. In fact several people are frequent flyers looking for narcotics all the time. They use fake names, social security numbers several addresses, change out middle names and first names. They do it all. They alter the numbers written up doses etc. They are professional drug seekers.
March 31, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
buff_o_rilla (anonymous) says...
LOL Early, they dont make ludes anymore, Looks like there is gonna be a hot black market for that special ream of paper. No matter what is being done on a form, others will find a way to adapt and get around it.
March 31, 2008 at 7:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sclaires (anonymous) says...
I just want everyone at The Post & Courier to know that this was the first time I had heard of these new requirements for Medicaid prescriptions. One question I would ask though why aren't ALL prescriptions being required to be written on the tamper-proof paper?? This would most likely save insurance companies and Medicare Part D a lot of money. And, let's not forget the prescriptions that are for controlled substances that also need the tamper-proof paper.
I live in Florence but get The Post & Courier via e-mail.
March 31, 2008 at 9:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
magoo (anonymous) says...
moose: your right they could set it up like the EBT system
March 31, 2008 at 11:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MikeMoore (anonymous) says...
$5 BILLION worth of Medicaid prescription fraud last year in the US!
If it helps cut fraud why not! Everybody complains for a little while then they adjust. We just visited a website www.securerxpad.com and ordered them. Wow a new government reg and we did not have to fill out any paperwork!
April 24, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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