Telecommunication Standard Moves from D.0 to F6

It is finally time to begin implementation preparations for the next version of the NCPDP Telecommunication Standard, F6 | Viewpoints

by Dave Schuetz, R.Ph.

It is hard to believe that it has been over 15 years since our article detailing the transition from NCPDP Telecommunication Standard Version 5.1 to Version D.0 was published in the September/ October 2009 issue of ComputerTalk for the Pharmacist (now PTMR). The regulatory compliance deadline for using Version D.0 was Jan. 1, 2012, over 13 years ago. The NCPDP Telecommunication Standard defines the record layout for prescription claim transactions and facilitates real-time adjudication. It not only assists in eligibility verification and payer claims processing, but also facilities data exchange between pharmacies and providers.

Read on to Learn More about The Move from D.0 to F6:

• The Clock is Ticking: The compliance deadline for NCPDP Telecommunication Standard F6 and what it means for your pharmacy.

• Decoding F6: The essential changes coming with Version F6, from new patient and prescriber fields to enhanced claims adjudication responses.

• Are You Ready for the Upgrade? How Version F6 will impact pharmacies, payers, and software vendors, and what you need to do to prepare.

• Your Action Plan for F6: Immediate steps to take with your software vendor and key resources to ensure a smooth transition to the new standard.

• Summary Analysis of Changes: A table showing a count of the differences between D.0 and F6.

After much fanfare, it is finally time to begin implementation preparations for the next version of the NCPDP Telecommunication Standard, F6. The long-awaited announcement by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the next version to replace D.0 came on Dec. 13, 2024, approximately two years after HHS posted the proposed rule on Nov. 9, 2022. The effective date of the final rule, which replaces D.0 with F6, is April 14, 2025. This date includes the current administration’s 60-day postponement and moves the effective date back from its original date of Feb. 11, 2025.