‘Streamlined’ DMS claims process to launch in July

Pharmacies will be able to use a new ‘streamlined’ process for making claims for the Discharge Medicines Service (DMS) from the beginning of July, Community Pharmacy England (CPE) has said.

NHS England and NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) will introduce a shortened process for making claims for DMS from 6 July in response to feedback from CPE.

The shorter MYS process will allow pharmacy owners to make and submit claims for the three stages of DMS.

Related Article: MHRA announces plan to speed up access to innovative medical devices

Pharmacy owners can still do all three stages of the service or a combination of stages one, two or three, depending on the needs of the patient – though pharmacy owners should continue to only submit claims for payment once all the stages they are able to provide are completed, says CPE.

Currently, as a result of not having a link between the clinical IT systems being used and the NHSBSA MYS portal for claiming payment, CPE said most of the information logged into the clinical IT system then needs to be re-entered by pharmacies into the MYS portal to complete a claim.

The simplified claim approach – which is being put in place until NHS England develops an API to allow the flow of the clinical data to MYS – will save considerable time for pharmacies to make their claims, says CPE.

NHS England and NHSBSA have advised pharmacy owners to claim and submit all completed DMS activity up until 30 June using the NHSBSA’s existing DMS via the MYS portal. This will be active until 11.59 on 5 July.

Related Article: Significant cut in hospital admissions from first year of RSV vaccinations

For claims from 1 July, pharmacy owners should use the new shortened MYS route to claim for any activity for the service that will be completed from 1 July. The new MYS route will be available from 6 July.

The DMS became a new essential service within the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) on 15 February 2021.

The service, which all pharmacy owners have to provide, was originally trialled in the five-year CPCF agreement, with a formal announcement regarding the service made by the secretary of state for health and social care in February 2020.

Related Article: Defect notice issued for Olmesartan medoxomil tablets due to PIL error

From 15 February 2021, NHS trusts were able to refer patients who would benefit from extra guidance around prescribed medicines for provision of the DMS at their community pharmacy.

The service has been identified by NHS England’s Medicines Safety Improvement Programme to be a significant contributor to the safety of patients at transitions of care, by reducing readmissions to hospital.