New GP writing prescriptions

[DRZIVAR]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I am a new GP working in mental health facility and was told I need to be in Medicare and Medicaid system before my prescriptions can go through. I have both NPI and DEA and a state license. I am still confused as I am getting different answers from different pharmacies and credentialing here at facility I work. I have to have the supervising physician sign all my prescriptions. My main question is if I have DEA and an NPI number do I still need to be contracted with Medicare or Medicaid for my prescriptions to go through. I am not billing for my services obviously and I understand in order to bill I have to be contracted or in the system, however I do not know or to be honest understand why I need to be in Medicare or Medicaid system for my prescriptions to go through. The issue came up that I saw a pharmacy having my name on a script of a patient from Medicare however the center here says that I am not yet credentialed. Can anyone shine some light on this for me. I do not mind supervising physician cosigning my prescriptions but I want to know if I am doing things the right way and wanted this question answered. I still think if I do not bill medicare or Medicare and writing prescriptions for patients why do I need to be in Medicare or Medicaid system or is that the way it is and how long would it take for that to take an effect and how can I know. Is there a number for Medicare or Medicaid I can call and ask or state facility here in Georgia. Thank you before hand.

 

[zelman]

I am a new GP working in mental health facility and was told I need to be in Medicare and Medicaid system before my prescriptions can go through. I have both NPI and DEA and a state license. I am still confused as I am getting different answers from different pharmacies and credentialing here at facility I work. I have to have the supervising physician sign all my prescriptions. My main question is if I have DEA and an NPI number do I still need to be contracted with Medicare or Medicaid for my prescriptions to go through. I am not billing for my services obviously and I understand in order to bill I have to be contracted or in the system, however I do not know or to be honest understand why I need to be in Medicare or Medicaid system for my prescriptions to go through. The issue came up that I saw a pharmacy having my name on a script of a patient from Medicare however the center here says that I am not yet credentialed. Can anyone shine some light on this for me. I do not mind supervising physician cosigning my prescriptions but I want to know if I am doing things the right way and wanted this question answered. I still think if I do not bill medicare or Medicare and writing prescriptions for patients why do I need to be in Medicare or Medicaid system or is that the way it is and how long would it take for that to take an effect and how can I know. Is there a number for Medicare or Medicaid I can call and ask or state facility here in Georgia. Thank you before hand.

From the first google result for "cms prescriber enrollment" (without quotes):

"Any physician or other eligible professional who prescribes Part D drugs must either enroll in the Medicare program or opt out in order to prescribe drugs to their patients with Part D prescription drug benefit plans. Medicare Part D may no longer cover drugs that are prescribed by physicians or other eligible professionals who are neither validly enrolled, nor opted out of Medicare. All prescribers should enroll before January 1, 2016 to allow for the processing of applications and to ensure enrollees get their prescriptions."

There are quite a number of third party payors who require registration by prescribers, so don't be surprised if you get calls from pharmacies telling you to register with several Medicaid MCOs.