Dispensing Solutions, Inc. announced today that it has added support to its eDispense(TM) Vaccine Manager for the billing of administration fees associated with vaccines covered under Medicare Part D. This brings Vaccine Manager into compliance with the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (TRHCA) revised definition of a Part D vaccine to include its administration going into effect on January 1, 2008. Per the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), MLN Matters Number SE0727, "beginning on January 1, 2008, the Part D program will cover vaccine administration costs associated with Part D vaccines. Thus, the coverage available in 2007 under Part B will cease and reimbursement will be available solely under Part D."

Although the Part D benefits have proven to be advantageous for Medicare beneficiaries, they have created some unique reimbursement challenges for physicians who purchase and administer vaccines and other medications to their patients in their offices. Claims for the reimbursement of product costs and now administration fees for these Part D covered medications must be submitted in real time to the Medicare Part D Plans using the NCPDP 5.1 pharmacy claims standard. Most physician practice management systems do not accommodate pharmacy claim billing. Without access to a pharmacy billing system, physicians cannot validate benefit coverage, determine patient out of pocket responsibilities, or electronically submit claims for reimbursement. eDispense(TM) Vaccine Manager provides all this and more. Without a solution like Vaccine Manager, physicians seeking reimbursement for vaccines covered by Part D must collect payment in full from their patient and the patient must then submit a paper claim to their Part D plan. This presents a financial barrier for patients with Part D coverage to receive their medications.

Dispensing Solutions Inc. launched eDispense(TM) Vaccine Manager in August 2007. When physicians enroll to use the web application they also become a member of the Vaccine Manager provider network. The provider network negotiates and enters into agreements with Part D plans for reimbursement to its physician members and facilitates the claims management and payment process to the physicians. "We have been pleased with its adoption rate by providers and third party payers," states Richard Wolpow, Co-founder and Vice Chairman. "Physicians and their staff have provided positive feedback, and have attested to the portal's ease of use. Patients appreciate not having to deal with cumbersome forms and physicians enjoy timely and accurate reimbursement. Payors enjoy only having to have one contract relationship."