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HHS Approves New E-Script Standard


June 23, 2006

The Department of Health and Human Services has approved the use of a new standard for electronic prescribing under the Medicare Part D drug benefit program. Clinicians now can use version 8.1 of the National Council for Prescription Drug Programs SCRIPT Standard to prescribe electronically.

Version 8.1 is backward compatible with version 5.0, which HHS last November approved as a foundation standard for electronic prescribing. This means that prescribers can continue to use version 5.0 or migrate to 8.1, as both now are acceptable national standards.

Version 8.1, which was recommended to HHS by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics, includes all functions of version 5.0, plus the ability to transmit medication history information. In its recommendation, NCVHS also asked HHS to adopt the new version without using the formal rulemaking and public comment process, which is permitted under the final rule that set the foundation standards.

HHS complied with the request, and instead of issuing a proposed rule to accept the new standard, issued an interim final rule with a comment period until Aug. 22. The agency published the interim rule in the Federal Register. To view the rule, go to http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/E6-9521.htm.

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