Physicians should take note of the fact that Medicare’s electronic prescribing program, while offering incentives now, will soon be changed to a penalty system for those who do not adopt e-prescribing. Early adopters are currently being rewarded with a percentage of their total Medicare payments refunded to them. In 2011 and 2012 the amount of the refund is 1% and it drops to .5% in 2013. Penalties for those who do not adopt e-prescribing will begin in 2012 and will be 1% of Part B earnings in 2012 for those eligible physicians who do not meet e-prescribing criteria in at least 10 Medicare office visits from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2011.
Physicians should also be aware of the fact that incentives will not be available from both the Medicare e-prescribing and Medicare EHR incentive programs simultaneously, i.e. those physicians receiving EHR incentives will not also be eligible for e-prescribing incentives, since e-prescribing is part of the “meaningful use” criteria.
If you have questions regarding applying for and qualifying for the e-prescribing programs or meeting the meaningful use criteria for the EHR incentive programs, please contact a Wachler & Associates attorney at 248-544-0888 or www.Wachler.com.