Search Frequenty Asked Questions

What is the Dispute Resolution Program (DRP)?

The DRP is a CMS-facilitated alternative dispute resolution process. CMS' DRP Team provides mediation and program clarification to assist manufacturers and states in identifying and resolving Medicaid drug rebate disputes. CMS staff developed and implemented the DRP to address the problem of unpaid and disputed rebates. Within CMS, organizational responsibility for the DRP resides in the Finance, Systems and Budget Group in the Center for Medicaid and State Operations. Central Office Team Lead Sue Gaston is assisted by Tami Bruce. Diane Dunstan, in the Denver Regional Office (RO), is the Lead RO DRP coordinator.

How does the DRP Process Work?

All state specific DRP related issues should be directed to the individual RO DRP coordinator (see link below). That RO coordinator may handle the issue independently or, if necessary, may confer with Diane for direction. Regardless of who handles the DRP issues, Diane and Central Office should be copied on all activities. Many times the same issues arise in several region's states and we have found that the DRP team can better identify whether an issue is unique to a particular state or is more widespread. If Diane receives a DRP issue directly, she will forward it to the appropriate RO coordinator and copy Central Office. Tami will back-up Diane in her absence. If Central Office receives a DRP issue, we will copy Diane and forward it directly to the RO coordinator for necessary action.

• Hot DRP Issues - Updated October 18, 2004
  
• Background of the DRP
  
• DRP Best Practices
  
• History of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program
  
• History of the DRP
  
• Regional Office DRP Coordinators PDF 86KB
  
• IMPORTANT HIPAA/RX NEWS
  Status of Prescription Numbers under the HIPAA Privacy Rule

Contacts:
Sue Gaston – Team Lead, (410) 786-6918 or Sgaston@cms.hhs.gov
Tami Bruce, (410) 786-1519 or Tbruce@cms.hhs.gov
Diane Dunstan – RO Lead, (303) 844-7040 or Ddunstan@cms.hhs.gov