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Tamper-Proof Requirements for Medicare Scripts

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services work to fight fraud. In 2008, they passed legislature that all prescriptions must be written on a tamper resistant pad. A tamper-proof handwritten prescription, or a printed prescription, must contain at least one in each of three characteristics of security.

  1. Unauthorized Copying

    • In order to avoid unauthorized copying of prescriptions, one method of tamper-proofing is to use hidden message paper. When paper with document security is copied, the words "Void," "Unauthorized," "Warning," or "Illegal" appear on the copy. Using micro lines is a covert feature, as what is really a series of words appears to be a straight line. The words are in such a small font that they cannot be viewed without a magnifying glass.

    Prevention of Modification

    • Erasure protection is a coating on the paper that removes the background when something is erased. The white mark left indicates to the pharmacy that the prescription has been modified. In addition, laser tone adheres to the paper so that the paper rips if information is attempted to be removed. Preprinted language, such as quantity boxes, on the paper prevents the ability of medication to be added to the prescription, and the use of thermochromic ink, which changes color when heated, prevents counterfeiting.

    Visual Warnings

    • With visible warning bands along the edge of paper describing the features of the original document, visible warnings act as a deterrent to copying. Overt watermarks are another security feature, and can be easier seen if rubbed by a highlighter. The use of Thermochromic ink, which changes color when heated, prevents the counterfeiting of prescription scripts. Some states require a vendor ID while New York State incorporated a serial bar code to prevent duplication.

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