Spring deadline holds for implementing Medicaid tamper-resistant prescription pads

The April 1, 2008 deadline still applies to Texas physicians to implement tamper-resistant prescription pad requirements after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid denied the Health and Human Services Commission’s request to exempt Texas from the new provision. HHSC argued that the provisions contradict planned activities to simplify Medicaid in accordance with the settlement of class-action lawsuit, Frew v. Hawkins.

The Texas Academy of Family Physicians, Texas Medical Association and Texas Pediatric Society are working to make the change as seamless as possible. The most pressing concern about the requirements—the cost of the new pads—has lessened as the price of the pads has dropped.