Mental Health Part D News Alert

January 3, 2006

Pharmacy Transactions

On December 29, 2005 CMS office of Center for Beneficiary Choices sent a memorandum to all Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) sponsors.This memo providesdirectionon important pharmacyoperational detailsdue to concerns pharmacies expressedabout barriers to access the Part D drug benefit.CMS outlined their expectations that PDPs will review and resolve the following issues:

• PDPs need to ensure all systems are operational by submitting test transactions
• PDPs need to include all billing information necessary to process transactions for beneficiaries who do not have an ID card
• PDPs have to provide pharmacies with allneeded informationsopharmacies can set up their billing systems

This memorandum also includes a chart for pharmacists on how to address various situations when addressing different patient audiences.

Click here to read the specific guidance from CMS on pharmacy transactions for PDPs.