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California Health & Wellness is no longer a Medi-Cal plan starting January 1, 2024. Regardless of the county you live in, your Medi-Cal service and benefits will not be impacted by the health plan changes since you will be assigned to a new health plan. The county you live in determines your new health plan. Learn more

19-090 Use of Tamper-Resistant Controlled Substance Prescription Forms Delayed

Date: 02/22/19

AB 149 amends AB 1753 by adding a transition period for implementing the new security prescription forms

California Health & Wellness Plan (CHWP) is notifying prescribers that, on January 24, 2019, Assembly Bill (AB) 149 amended AB 1753 for Health and Safety Code sections 11162.1 and 11164 and added section 11162.2.

OVERVIEW

AB 1753 requires prescription forms for controlled substances to be printed with uniquely serialized numbers. The tamper-resistant prescription forms must be ordered from state-approved security print vendors only. The effective date of AB 1753 is January 1, 2019.

AB1753 does not include a grandfathering or transition period for prescribers, pharmacists and patients to use these new forms. To alleviate challenges from this new law, a transition period has been applied with AB 149.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN AB 1753?

·         Applies to paper prescriptions written to fill Schedule II through V controlled substance prescriptions.

·         Does not apply to electronic prescriptions sent directly to the member’s pharmacy from the prescriber’s office.

·         Forms that do not contain all 15 security features will be invalid.

WHAT'S INCLUDED IN AB 149?

·       Adds a transition period until AB 1753 goes into effect.

·       Delays the requirement to use the new tamper-resistant prescription forms until a date determined by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that is no later than January 1, 2020.

·       Requires the serialized number to be utilizable as a barcode that may be scanned by dispensers.

·       Any prescription written on an otherwise valid prescription form prior to January 1, 2019 – that does not include a uniquely serialized number – or any prescription written on a form approved by the DOJ as of January 1, 2019, is considered a valid prescription that may be filled, compounded, or dispensed until January 1, 2021.

·       Authorizes the DOJ to extend the time period no more than an additional six months, if there is an inadequate availability of compliant prescription forms.

ORDERING NEW PRESCRIPTION FORMS

The Security Prescription Printers Program maintains a current alphabetical list of print vendors who are compliant with this new requirement.

For information on how to order new forms and to place an order with a print vendor:

·         Visit https://oag.ca.gov/security-printers.

·         Click on the link for a current list of Security Prescription Printers. This list is updated periodically as new vendors are approved.

Other resources and information are also available at this website, such as reporting lost or stolen prescription forms.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Providers are encouraged to access CHWP’s provider portal online at www.CAHealthWellness.com for real-time information, including eligibility verification, claims status, prior authorization status, plan summaries, and more.

If you have questions regarding the information contained in this update, contact CHWP at 1-877-658-0305.