2018-35: Prescription Monitoring Program Update for Providers

Date: 07/11/18

Effective Feb. 1, 2018, in accordance with the Medicaid Managed Care Organization (MCO) contract extension, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) no longer requires the MCOs, including Louisiana Healthcare Connections, to audit providers to ensure compliance with the Louisiana Prescription Monitoring Program (PMP).

Please Note: Act 76 of the 2017 Legislative Session requires each provider to perform patient-specific queries in the PMP upon writing the first prescription for a controlled substance. Queries are to be performed annually thereafter.

About Act 76

Act 76 of the 2017 Legislative Session is designed to curb Louisiana’s opioid epidemic by requiring prescribers to consult the PMP prior to prescribing opioids to patients to verify whether the patient has other active opioid prescriptions. It also establishes exceptions as well as continuing education requirements focused on best practices for the prescribing of controlled substances. The tracking and enforcement of this mandate is the responsibility of the licensing bodies. To learn more about Act 76, please visit: http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1051081.

Louisiana Healthcare Connections appreciates the compliance of providers with these mandated requirements and encourages all providers to be prepared to demonstrate their compliance upon request from LDH.

The PMP is governed by the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy. To learn more about the PMP, please visit the Louisiana Board of Pharmacy website: www.pharmacy.la.gov.