Pharmacy Services

Medicaid Tamper-Resistant Requirement - Delayed 6 Months

September 27, 2007

A provision found in the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007 requires the use of tamper-resistant pads for outpatient Medicaid prescriptions. The original requirement for implementation on October 1, 2007, was extended for 6 months on September 26, 2007. Beginning in April, 2008, this requirement must be met for reimbursement of outpatient medications for Medicaid patients. The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and The American Pharmacists Association (APhA) have issued letters to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) expressing concerns regarding this requirement. Specifically, both organizations are calling for a delay in the implementation date and for a clarification in the definition of a tamper-resistant pad. A response from CMS is not available. Additional information can be found through the links below.

Updated
September 27, 2007; August 2, 2007; University of Utah, Drug Information Service. Copyright 2009, Drug Information Service, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT.