CMS Asks Physicians to Include Diagnoses on Prescriptions

January 27, 2006 – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) are asking physicians to include diagnoses on prescriptions. For Medicare drugs that are sometimes covered under Part B and sometimes under Part D (such as methotrexate, which is covered under Part B when prescribed for a cancer-related indication, and Part D when prescribed for an arthritis-related condition), it will assist the pharmacy to properly process the prescription if the physician writes the diagnosis and “Part B” or “Part D” on the prescription. More information on the prescription drug benefit, including tools to assist physicians, is available online. Additional information, including a list of these drugs, will be posted shortly.