CVS Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

How should you handle a Medicaid prescription that does not specify the brand name?

1. Call Medicaid for authorization

2. Process the prescription with a DAW 1 code

3. Send the patient back for a new prescription

4. Contact the physician for verbal authorization

The correct answer is: Send the patient back for a new prescription

In a situation where a Medicaid prescription does not specify the brand name, the most appropriate course of action is to contact the physician for verbal authorization. This is crucial because many Medicaid plans have specific guidelines regarding preferred medications and may only cover certain brands unless otherwise specified. By reaching out to the physician, you ensure that the correct medication is being dispensed according to the patient's needs and the insurance policy. This keeps the patient from facing potential delays in receiving their medication and ensures adherence to the regulations set forth by Medicaid. The other approaches, while they might seem viable, could lead to complications. For example, calling Medicaid for authorization could result in additional delays since they might require specific information or documentation that isn’t available on the prescription. Processing the prescription with a DAW 1 code could also lead to issues, as this code indicates that the brand name is required, which contradicts the absence of that specification. Sending the patient back for a new prescription is generally undesirable, as it places extra burden on both the patient and the physician and could delay the treatment process.