New E Rx Hardship Exemptions
On November 1, 2012, CMS released the revisions to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for 2013. In addition, this publication finalizes two new hardship exemptions for E-prescribing that are associated with electronic health record adoption and the HIT incentive program.
Currently, there are four hardship exemptions for E-prescribing. In 2013, two new hardship exemption categories for the purpose of 2013 and 2014 payment adjustments exist. They are:
- Eligible professionals who achieve meaningful use during certain eRx timeframes. For the 2013 eRx payment adjustment, this will include any eligible professional who achieved meaningful use during January 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 and has attested to this by January 31, 2013.
- Eligible professionals who demonstrate intent to participate in the EHR Incentive Program and adoption of Certified EHR Technology by registering for the EHR Incentive Program by January 31, 2013.
EHR Incentive Program participants must provide their entire EHR Certification Number in the CMS EHR Certification ID field during registration to receive the second exemption.
Unlike the existing hardship exemptions, there is no application required for these two new exemptions.
Additional information on the E-prescribing exemptions can be found at: http://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched/PFS-Federal-Regulation-Notices-Items/CMS045325.html