Latebreakers: CMS creates emergency response plan
According to CMS, its partner Argus Health Systems will begin building a network of pharmacies and the program will work similarly to third-party insurance?providing pharmacists with specific instructions on how to handle prescriptions for victims of disasters.
In an effort to streamline emergency response before it is needed, CMS has announced the formation of the Emergency Prescription Assistance Program (EPAP). According to CMS, its partner Argus Health Systems will begin building a network of pharmacies and the program will work similarly to third-party insurance-providing pharmacists with specific instructions on how to handle prescriptions for victims of disasters. Upon activation of the EPAP system by FEMA, disaster victims will be able to go to participating pharmacies to obtain new Rxs, replace maintenance drugs, and obtain certain covered durable medical devices. The program follows closely on the heels of the development of http://www.icerx.org/, a similar emergency preparation program.
