June 26, 2012:
Besides indicating that 2012 is more than half over, June 30 marks several major Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) deadlines. It's the last day to comply with the requirements of the CMS Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program for 2012, as well as being the last day to implement HIPAA 5010. Here's what you need to know:
June 30 is the deadline by which you must submit at least 10 eRx events for office visits or services for Medicare Part B patients from Jan. 1 through June 30. If you do not submit 10 eRx events by June 30, you will be subject to a 1.0% penalty. Learn more about the eRx program or view the AOA's recent webinar, "Electronic prescribing - How to avoid the penalty and qualify for the bonus."
June 30 is also the deadline to apply for a hardship exemption from the eRx program. To learn about what could qualify as a significant hardship and the steps you'll need to take to request an exemption, visit our Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program page.
June 30 is the last day to implement version 5010 of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) electronic transactions. As of July 1, HIPAA 5010 will be the only version accepted by Medicare Fee-For-Service.
For the electronic remittance advice transaction only, CMS will allow an additional 30 days to transfer to HIPAA 5010.
If you experience claim rejection problems after June 30, contact your clearinghouse, billing service, or practice management vendor. You may also file a complaint directly with CMS.