eRx Incentive Program Deadlines Quickly Approaching to Avoid 2013 Payment Adjustment

June 19, 2012

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Eligible professionals have until June 30, 2012, to successfully report to Medicare to avoid a 1.5–percent payment adjustment in 2013. The reporting must be claims–based, and the G8553 code must be submitted for any visit if there was an electronic prescribing (eRx) event. At least 10 eRx events must be successfully reported to avoid the future penalty.

Those who successfully met the 12–month reporting option of January 1, 2011, through December 31, 2011, do not need to report an additional 10 times by June 30, 2012.

In addition, the deadline to submit a hardship request is June 30, 2012. This deadline coincides with the last reporting day for the 2013 eRx Payment Adjustment reporting period for all eligible professionals who do not qualify for a hardship exemption.

Hardship exemptions for the 2013 payment adjustment include:

• The inability to electronically prescribe due to state, federal, or local law or regulation
• The eligible professional prescribes fewer than 100 prescriptions during a six–month payment adjustment period (January 1, 2012, through June 30, 2012, for the 2013 payment adjustment)
• The eligible professional practices in a rural area without sufficient high–speed Internet access (G8642)
• The eligible professional practices in an area without sufficient available pharmacies for electronic prescribing (G8643)

How to Submit

Visit www.qualitynet.org/pqrs and select "Communication Support Page" on the left–hand side of the page under Related Links to submit your hardship requests today. Be prepared to justify your request with any relevant information.

For more information on the reporting requirements to avoid the 2013 penalty, visit the AAN's Medicare eRx Incentive Program webpage.