Answer: Yes. California’s security prescription requirements exceed the new federal Medicaid security prescription standards.

A federal law that takes effect October 1 requires that all Medicaid prescriptions be written on tamper-resistant prescription pads. Specifically, the law requires that Medi-Cal prescriptions be written on pads that have one or more industry-recognized features that prevent unauthorized copying, erasure or other modification, or counterfeiting. By October 1, 2008, pads must meet all three standards.

As you know, California law currently requires the use of secure prescription pads for controlled substances (Schedule II to V). California’s security prescription requirements exceed federal requirements and California’s Department of Justice-approved security prescriptions can be used for writing Medi-Cal prescriptions.

While you could opt to use a “lower-grade” security prescription pad when writing noncontrolled substance prescriptions for Medi-Cal patients, there is no need to add yet another administrative burden to your busy practice. CMA has confirmed that DOJ-approved pads from its security prescription partner RxSecurity are competitively priced compared to other printers’ lower-grade pads.

And don’t forget, CMA members get 15 percent off RxSecurity’s already low prices. Depending on the number of pads purchased, members pay as little as $2.55 per one-part pad (100 scripts per pad) or $4.16 per two-part pad (50 scripts per pad). Special pricing is available for hospitals, clinics, and other high-volume purchasers. CMA is also currently negotiating an additional discount for CMA members during this transition period. Stay tuned for details.

CMA and others in organized medicine urged the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to delay implementation of the new law to allow physicians and pharmacists time to prepare for this substantial change. Unfortunately, CMS recently announced that the law would take effect as scheduled on October 1.

CMA is very concerned that the short notice will lead to confusion among physicians and pharmacists, and negatively impact patient care and access to prescriptions. We are also concerned that the additional hassle and cost involved will force physicians to leave the Medi-Cal program, where access to care is already a problem. CMA is working on federal urgency legislation to reverse the law or at least make it consistent with current state law.


Contact: Elizabeth McNeil, 415/882-3176 or emcneil@cmanet.org

“You Wanted to Know” is a monthly column that answers real physician questions. Topics are selected based on the volume and subjects of questions received by CMA. If you have a question you want answered, contact CMA’s Communication Center at 888/231-745.