The Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) recently announced that it was making changes in compliance with a new federal law regarding Medicaid prescriptions. This law requires Medicaid prescriptions to be written on tamper-resistant prescription pads.

IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS REQUIREMENT HAS BEEN DELAYED. The United States Congress has passed a bill that will delay implementation of this requirement for six months, making the requirement effective April 1, 2008. If this bill is signed into law by the President, HFS will also delay implementation to coincide with this date.

Further information on this policy, including a question and answer document, is available on the Department’s web site at http://www.hfs.illinois.gov/pharmacy/tamper.html

Questions regarding this notice may be directed to the Bureau of Pharmacy Services at 1-877-782-5565.

Theresa A. Eagleson, Administrator
Division of Medical Programs