Which entity requires e-prescribing for ALL controlled substance prescriptions under Medicare Part D?

• A. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
• B. DEA
• C. Medicare Part D plans
• D. Food and Drug Administration

Answer: (C)

In Medicare Part D, the plan sponsors are the ones that enforce electronic prescribing for controlled substances. This means every Part D prescription for a controlled substance is transmitted electronically from the prescriber to the pharmacy through the plan’s systems, supporting safer transmission, easier auditing, and fraud prevention within the Part D benefit. The overarching policy comes from CMS, but the actual enforcement mechanism is at the Part D plans themselves. The DEA regulates who can prescribe and sets broader controlled-substance rules, not the Part D e-prescribing workflow, and the FDA handles drug approvals and safety labeling rather than prescribing technology requirements.