Electronic Prescriptions Ahead for Medicare Part D Patients TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA (APR - Alabama Public Radio ) - Alabama doctors may soon be giving out prescriptions with a computer instead of a prescription pad. The change affects patients covered by Medicare Part D. The federal government has given doctor's offices to 2012 to make the change. Even though the plan is expected to save Medicare millions of dollars each year, there are concerns over privacy and set up costs. Reporter Alisa Beckwith-Ayilliath has more. © Copyright 2012, APR - Alabama Public Radio