Those physicians who do adopt EHRs seem to be doing a better job of e-prescribing. Surescripts found significantly higher utilization of e-prescribing among EHR users than among physicians with stand-alone e-prescribing systems. Mr. Joseph said that’s probably due to the significant investment of time and money involved in most EHR adoptions.
"They have skin in the game," Mr. Joseph said.
The Fine Print
Under the Medicare eRx Incentive Program, individual physicians and other eligible providers must submit information on at least 10 e-prescriptions on their Medicare Part B claim forms between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2012. The information must be submitted using either a qualified e-prescribing program or a certified EHR. The claim form must include the e-prescribing G code (G8553) or it doesn’t count.
Small group practices participating in the eRx Group Practice Reporting Option must submit codes for 625 e-prescriptions.
Large group practices participating in the program are required to submit codes for 2,500 e-prescriptions.
Individuals who are unable to submit information on at least 10 e-prescriptions can seek a hardship exemption under a few circumstances:
• if they cannot e-prescribe due to local, state, or federal laws,
• if they will write fewer than 100 prescriptions between Jan. 1 and June 30,
• if they practice in a rural area with insufficient high-speed Internet access (use code G8642), or
• if they practice where there are not enough pharmacies that can receive electronic prescriptions (G8643).
Submit hardship requests to CMS via the Quality Reporting Communication Support Page by June 30. If the hardship has an associated G code, submit the request through the Communication Support Page or use the G code on at least one claim before June 30.
Those who successfully reported on 25 e-prescriptions in 2011 need not worry about the 2013 penalty.