Medicare Releases E-Prescribing Measure

December 17, 2008 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted specifications for the E-Prescribing measure, which will be used to determine whether an eligible professional is a successful E-Prescriber and may qualify for a 2 percent incentive payment for the 2009 reporting period. Information about the E-Prescribing Incentive Program can be found on the CMS Web site.

Beginning January 1, 2009, eligible professionals may participate in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program by submitting information required by the E-Prescribing measure on their Medicare Part B claims. Participation in the E-Prescribing Incentive Program does not require registration or participation in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). 

Information on the E-Prescribing Incentive Program for 2009 may be found in the final 2009 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule rule that was released by CMS in November, and a summary and analysis of the Program can be found on page seven of the ASH Summary and Analysis of the 2009 Final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Rule.