Physicians Without eRx Exemption Face Penalty

Medicare participating physicians who did not meet the requirements for Medicare's Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program in 2012 face a 1.5 percent Medicare pay cut in 2013. CMS began notifying eligible professionals of their penalty status in December via the U.S. Postal Service.

Physicians who disagree with CMS' determination of a penalty assessment may submit an informal review request by e-mail. CMS will accept review requests through Feb. 28.

All requests must include the individual's National Provider Identifier number; contact information, including an e-mail address, telephone number and mailing address; and justification as to why an informal review is appropriate.

Physicians should note that CMS recently reopened its quality reporting communication support page to allow physicians additional time to request hardship exemptions for 2012 and thereby avoid the 2013 e-prescribing penalty. The page will be available to physicians until Jan. 31, 2013.

Several hardship exemptions are available to physicians unable to participate in the program, including those who

Physicians who are granted hardship exemptions will not be exposed to penalties for nonparticipation. Eligible professionals who do not participate in the Medicare eRx program in 2013 face an increased Medicare penalty consisting of a 2 percent reduction in pay in 2014.