Beginning April 1, 2008, all written prescriptions for Medicaid recipients must be on paper with at least one tamper-resistant feature as outlined by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and defined by the State of Connecticut. Beginning October 1, 2008, these same prescriptions must be on paper that meets all three baseline characteristics of tamper-resistant pads. CMS has outlined the three baseline characteristics as those that:
- prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form;
- prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; or
- prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms. A detailed explanation of each of these characteristics follows.
Industry-standard features that meet the requirements for characteristic #1:
- A latent, repetitive “void” pattern or the word “void” appearing across the entire front of the prescription blank when photocopied or scanned.
- A blue or green background ink on the prescription blank that resists reproduction.
- The word “illegal” appearing across the entire front of the prescription blank when photocopied or scanned
Industry-standard features that meet the requirements for characteristic #2:
- A chemical void protection on the prescription blank that prevents alteration by chemical washing.
- The prescription blank may be made of quality safety paper that resists erasures and reproductions.
- An area of opaque writing that disappears if the prescription blank is lightened.
- Erasure protection on green or blue background on the front side of the prescriptionblank that resists alterations and erasures.
- A feature printed in thermochromic ink that disappears or shows obvious tampering if the prescription blank is rubbed, scratched briskly, or if heat is applied.
- Quantity check off boxes should be printed on the prescription blank with the appropriate quantities listed. The pad may include a space to designate the units referenced in the quantity boxes when the drug is not in tablet or capsule form.
Industry-standard features that meet the requirements for characteristic #3:
- A description of security features included on each prescription blank.
- A custom or repetitive watermark on the backside of the prescription blank that can be only seen at a forty-five (45) degree angle. The watermark should bear the name of the company manufacturing the prescription blank or should bear the word “security”.
- Logos, defined as a symbol utilized by an individual, professional practice, professional association or hospital, appearing on the prescription blank. The upper left one (1) inch square of the prescription blank should be reserved for the logo.
Electronic prescriptions, faxed prescritions and prescriptions sent over the telephone are exempt from this requirement. Failure to comply with the new tamper resistant prescription pad requirements could result in a withholding of Medicaid reimbursement. So, throw out those old prescription pads!