Electronic Prescribing

What is Electronic Prescribing?

Electronic prescribing, or e-prescribing, is a paperless way of prescribing medication. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has identified e-prescribing as an important means of improving patient care because it allows prescribers to electronically send an accurate, error-free and understandable prescription directly to a pharmacy from the point of care.

What is the Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program?

In an effort to encourage physicians to adopt e-prescribing in their practices, CMS has created an incentive and penalty program called the Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program. Here's how it works:

• In 2009 and 2010, physicians were rewarded with a 2% bonus for using e-prescribing successfully.

• With each passing year, the bonus is gradually decreasing, and penalties for physicians who don't use eRx are gradually increasing.

• By 2014, the incentive element of eRx will have disappeared. However, the penalty for physicians who don't e-prescribe will remain in place.

To qualify as a successful e-prescriber, you must use a CMS-certified computerized e-prescribing system to submit the required number of eRx events for that year. For example, you might be required to submit 10 eRx events by June 30 and a total of 25 eRx events by Dec. 31.

Learn more about eRx or listen to the AOA's recent webinar, "2013 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) - How to Avoid the Penalty and Qualify for the Bonus."