ACP, others release updated guide to e-prescribing

ACP recently joined other organizations in releasing an updated version of “A Clinician's Guide to Electronic Prescribing,” which assists health care professionals in transitioning from paper to e-prescribing systems.

The new edition of the guide, which was first created in 2008, addresses the changing health care information technology environment, including e-prescribing, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act and health care reform. Along with ACP, the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the Medical Group Management Association, e-Health Initiative, and The Center for Improving Medication Management were also involved in creating the guide. The 2011 edition is available online.

Beginning in 2011, physicians and practices that are not e-prescribing will be subject to a 1% penalty on total allowed charges under Medicare Part B. To avoid this penalty, physicians must have implemented a qualified system by the end of June. Additional information on the Medicare e-prescribing program is available on the Running a Practice section of the College's website.