E Rx Hardship Exemption

It is still possible to request a hardship exemption for electronic prescribing to negate the 1.5% payment adjustment in 2013. The Quality Reporting Communication Support Page will re-open on November 1, 2012 through January 31, 2013, and accept applications for hardship exemptions. This web-based tool had been closed at the end of June 2012, making it impossible for providers to submit an exemption request after June 30 for the 2013 payment adjustment.

CMS has indicated the addition of two new hardship exemptions associated with electronic health record adoption and the HIT incentive program. Details are not yet available on these exemptions. In the meantime, there are four hardship exemptions that you can apply for:

1. You prescribe fewer than 100 prescriptions during a 6-month payment adjustment reporting period.
2. You practice in a rural area with limited high-speed internet access.
3. You practice in an area with limited available pharmacies for E Rx.
4. You do not have the ability to electronically prescribe due to local, state, or federal law or regulation.

The support page can be accessed at: https://www.qualitynet.org/portal/server.pt/community/communications_support_system/234

Stay tuned for information on the additional hardship exemptions when they are announced.