The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services willdelay an electronic prescription-reporting requirement while it consults withan industry group. 

The rule would assist it in evaluating electronic prescribing under the Part D program. CMS made the announcement in the final version of its “call letter”sent to prescription drug plans and Medicare advantage plans on March 17.  The requirement under discussion wouldinstruct Part D sponsors to “adequately identify and report on the sourceorigin for prescriptions filled.” 

CMS decided to hold off on the requirement until the reporting field related to the rule is more widely used in the industry. The rule is nowexpected to take effect in 2010. 

To view the final version of the call letter, go tohttp://www.cms.hhs.gov/PrescriptionDrugCovContra/Downloads/CallLetter.pdf.