Deadline for eRx incentive approaching

Physicians and other eligible professionals have until Dec. 31, 2013, to report at least 25 successful electronic prescribing (eRx) transactions to earn a 0.5% bonus on total allowed charges for professional services covered by the Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule during 2013.

Submissions can be made through claims or approved registry or electronic health record (EHR) systems. Eligible professionals reporting through the Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) must meet a different defined criteria to earn the bonus, based on the size of the group. The eRx incentive is only available to clinicians who do not earn an incentive for meaningful use of an EHR in the same year.

Eligible professionals who have not earned the eRx bonus in 2012 or who have not submitted at least 10 successful eRx transactions through claims by June 30, 2013, will be assessed a 2% penalty on their Medicare Part B charges in 2014. This payment adjustment can only be avoided at this time if the eligible professional qualifies for one of the eRx Incentive Program's automatic exemptions or if the eligible professional was recognized as a participant in the Meaningful Use program by June 30, 2013.

More detailed information can be obtained on ACP's Running a Practice website.

For more information on upcoming important dates related to a variety of regulatory, payment, educational and delivery system changes and requirements (including PQRS and VBP), visit ACP's Physician and Practice Timeline.