Beginning January 1, 2009, physicians and other professionals may begin
qualifying for incentive payments for the use of electronic prescription systems.
On December 1, 2008 CMS released its specifications for the E-Prescribing
Incentive Program. These specifications will be used to determine whether a
prescriber is a "successful electronic prescriber" (SEP) who may qualify for a
2% incentive payment for the 2009 reporting period (the 2009 calendar year).
Payments will be made following the close of the reporting period and will be
calculated based on an estimate of the allowed charges for all of an eligible
professional's covered services provided during the year. Following 2009,
incentives will decrease each year until, in 2012, CMS plans to impose a
gradually increasing penalty on eligible professionals who are not qualified as
SEPs. Joshua J. Freemire of Ober|Kaler looks at the requirements for providers.
Please see full publication below for more information.
