Electronic Prescribing (e-RX)
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E-Prescribing offers providers and their patients a faster, more convenient and, accurate way to fulfill prescriptions by sending the prescription directly to the pharmacy electronically. NexTech Practice 2011 v9.7 offers a fully integrated and certified complete EHR, with Electronic Prescribing capability that’s equipped to help providers demonstrate “meaningful use” and claim e-RX Incentives. |
Incentives for Electronic Prescribers
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Provider Act of 2008 (MIPPA), offers eligible professionals (EPs) who are successful electronic prescribers from 2009 through 2013, to qualify to receive incentive payments from 0.5% - 2 % of the total estimated allowed charges submitted. This new incentive program is called the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and is in addition to the quality reporting incentive program authorized by Division B of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006.
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Eligible Providers:
The following are all eligible providers as defined by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Provider Act of 2008 (MIPPA):
Medicare Physicians: Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Osteopathy, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Oral Surgery, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine
Practitioners: Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Anesthesiologist Assistant, Certified Nurse Midwife, Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Psychologist, Registered Dietician, Nutrition Professional, Audiologists
Therapists: Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Qualified Speech-Language Therapists
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The eRx Incentive Program
Individual eligible professionals must report the eRx measure at least 25 unique electronic prescribing events in which the measure is reportable by the eligible professional during 2010. Individual Eligible Professionals may choose to report on their adoption and use of a qualified eRx system by submitting information on one eRx measure to the following:
- CMS on their Medicare part B claims
- A qualified registry
- CMS via a qualified electronic health record (EHR) product
Incentive Amounts
The e-prescribing incentive percent amount is based on the Secretary’s estimate (based on claims submitted not later than 2 months after the end of the reporting period) of the allowed charges for all such Physician Fee Schedule covered professional services furnished by the eligible professional during the reporting year. The incentive amount for reporting years is:
- 2009 - 2010: 2%
- 2011 - 2012: 1%
- 2013: 0.5%
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Keep in Mind: Bonuses are calculated per provider. Payments will be made to the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) of the provider, so the payment will go to the group.
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Incentive Penalties
Incentives and the penalties are both Medicare programs. Providers who fail to electronically prescribe during 10 Medicare E&M visits (denominator codes) between January 1, 2011 and June 30, 2011, may be subject to a 1% reduction in Medicare payments in 2012 and a 1.5% reduction in 2013. Please note that additional rules provide for additional "significant hardship exemptions" which would include limited prescribing activity.
| Remember: The prescribing of NSAIDs, antibiotics, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications counts towards this number. |
If an Eligible Professional chooses to participate in the Medicare Rx Incentive Program, they cannot participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program simultaneously in the same program year.
Important Information About the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Electronic Prescribing Program:
Download the PDF from CMS.gov