Medicare's E-Prescribing Incentive Program

The Medicare e-prescribing incentive is a new50% of applicable cases during the reporting year.
initiative authorized under the MedicareTo participate in the e-prescribing incentive
Improvements for Patients and Providers Act ofprogram you must use a "qualified" e-prescribing
2008 (MIPPA).system. There are essentially two types of
The program starts January 1, 2009 and offerssystems: a system for e-prescribing only (a
incentives for eligible providers that meet certain"stand alone" system), or an electronic health
criteria. The e-prescribing Incentive Program isrecord (EHR) system with e-prescribing capabilities.
currently based on one e-prescribing qualityTo get the incentive in 2009, you have to report
measure that is currently included in the Physicianon the e-prescribing quality measure with one of
Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). Beginning inthe three appropriate G codes on more than
2009 the e-prescribing quality measure will be50% of applicable cases within your practice.
removed from the PQRI and it will become theEligible providers that are not "successful
quality measure used in the e-Prescribing Incentivee-prescribers" by 2012 will be subject to a
Program.differential payment (penalty) beginning in 2012.
For 2009 the e-prescribing incentive amounts willTo learn more about Medicare's e-prescribing
be 2% of the total estimated allowed charges forprogram, visit the following URL:
professional services covered by Medicare Part BIt's certainly worth any practice that bills a
and provided by an eligible professional during thesubstantial amount of Medicare to enroll in the
reporting period. To be a successful e-prescriber,e-prescribing program in order to reap the financial
you must report the e-prescribing quality measurebenefits and in essence, improve efficiency within
through your Medicare Part B claims on at leastyour practice.