The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued final guidance for transitioning new seniors into the Medicare Part D program next year. Transition and emergency fill requirements for long-term care residents have been included.

Under the new standards, plans will be required to provide 31-day transition supplies and multiple refills throughout the 90-day transition period for new long-term care enrollees. Plans also must provide 31-day emergency supplies of non-formulary medications for current enrollees while an exception is being processed, according to CMS.

CMS also encouraged plans to develop transition plans for current enrollees who experience level-of-care changes. Plans, for example, should consider providing 31-day emergency supplies of non-formulary drugs when enrollees enter long-term care settings from other care settings while an exception is being processed.

The final 2007 transition guidance is available at .