Deadline for Filing E-Prescribing Hardship Exemption Extended
by Justin Vaughn, M.Div, CPC
Director of Complaince

11/2/2011

CMS announced today that it will extend its deadline for program-eligible providers to request hardship exemptions relative to the 2012 E-Prescribing (eRx) penalty to Nov 8.

As you’ll recall, per program requirements, eligible providers who failed to successfully submit 10 eRx claims by Jun 30, 2011 are subject to the 1 percent payment reduction in 2012—UNLESS one of the following hardship exemptions applies:

• Practice in a rural area without sufficient high speed internet access

• Practice in an area without sufficient available pharmacies for electronic prescribing

• Inability to electronically prescribe due to local, state, or federal law or regulation

• Limited prescribing activity

• Insufficient opportunities to report the electronic prescribing measure

• Registered to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs for 2011 and have adopted Certified EHR technology

Previously, eligible providers had until Nov 1 to file for one of these exemptions, but now have a few more days to submit their requests.  Providers should go to the following CMS website and follow the instructions—by the new Nov 8 deadline.

https://www.qualitynet.org/portal/server.pt/community/communications_support_system/234

The information presented herein reflects general information that is current as of the date it was first published.  In light of changes that may occur in the health care regulatory and compliance environments, the author's presentation of this information might become outdated.  Please check with your individual legal and/or compliance advisor(s) prior to taking any significant actions based upon the information and advice presented.