The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on Aug. 31 released a final rule modifying the Medicare Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program. Eligible physicians who fail to meet the program's e-prescribing requirements or obtain an exemption will be subject to a 1% payment penalty beginning in January.
The rule adopts the four new significant hardship exemption categories proposed for the 2012 payment adjustment, including one for eligible professionals who register to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs and adopt certified electronic health record technology. It also extends to Nov. 1 the deadline for eligible professionals and group practices to request a significant hardship exemption, and changes the e-prescribing measure to recognize adoption of certified EHR technology as a "qualified" system under the e-Prescribing Incentive Program.
Eligible professionals can use a web-based tool to request an exemption, while group practices must submit a letter to CMS. For more information, see the CMS announcement.
[ via AHA News Now ]
