Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive (and penalty) Program – Updates for 2012

Background
The Medicare Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program, which began January 1, 2009 and is authorized under the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) of 2008, provides incentives for eligible professionals who are successful electronic prescribers. A Web page dedicated to providing all the latest news on the eRx Incentive Program is available on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Web site.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced Changes to the Medicare Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program for Calendar Year 2011.  The three main changes for the 2011 ePrescribe (eRx) Incentive Program include:

1. Modifying the eRx measure to allow for use of Certified EHR Technology for purposes of reporting for the 2011 eRx incentive and 2013 eRx payment adjustment
2. Providing additional significant hardship exemption categories for the 2012 eRx payment adjustment
3. Extending the deadline for eligible professionals to request a significant hardship exemption for the 2012 eRx payment adjustment to November 1, 2011.

These changes are effective October 6, 2011. The measure will revise and CMS will be able to act on the hardship exemptions at that time. Eligible professionals can submit hardship exemption requests.