WHAT IS CMS COMPLIANT SECURITY?
Prior to HIPAA there was no generally accepted standard on the security and protection of health information. The security standards in HIPAA were developed for the primary purpose of implementing security safeguards to protect the individual’s health information as the adoption of electronic health care information grows.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) encourages the use of e-prescriptions as an effective and efficient method of doctors’ transmitting prescriptions to pharmacists. However it is recognized that the there is and will be a number scenarios that still require hand written prescriptions. In fact the Drug Enforcement Administration regulations regarding controlled substances may require a written prescription.
In 2007, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services mandated the use of tamper-resistant prescriptions pads, signed into law on May 25, 2007, Section 7002(b). The provision became effective on October 1, 2007. The tamper resistant pad requirement applies to all outpatient drugs.
The three CMS prescription printing requirements include:
– Prevention of unauthorized copying
– Prevention of tampering or modification
– Prevention of counterfeit production
Below are a few reference documents however we recommend that you check the CMS Website under “Regulations and Guidance” for additional information and resources (www.cms.hhs.gov)
