Medicare providers who do not successfully participate in the e-prescribing (eRx) program will be subject to a 1.5 percent reduction in their 2013 Medicare Part B payments. Act now to avoid this significant penalty.
Successful participation in the eRx Program is one way to avoid the payment adjustment. Successful participation in 2011 or the reporting of 10 electronic prescriptions according to program requirements in the first six months of 2012 will allow providers to avoid the penalty.
Providers who cannot successfully participate in the eRx Program due to hardship can request a hardship exemption. Hardship exemption requests are accepted for the following circumstances:
- Inability to electronically prescribe due to state, federal or local law or regulation;
- Eligible professional prescribes fewer than 100 prescriptions during a 6-month payment adjustment reporting period;
- Eligible professional practices in a rural area without sufficient high-speed internet access; and
- Eligible professional practices in an area without sufficient available pharmacies for electronic prescribing.
Hardship exemption requests should be submitted through the Quality Reporting Communication Support page. Hardship requests must be submitted prior to June 30, 2012 to avoid the 2013 penalty.
Review the CMS Educational Article for additional information about avoiding the 2013 eRx penalty including information about successful participation and automatic program exclusions.
