FOR PROVIDERS NOT ABLE TO E-PRESCRIBE

Providers unable to participate in the eRx Incentive Program may be eligible for an exemption. All exemption requests need to be completed online or by postmarked mail by November 1, 2011. The requests will be reviewed and approved or denied by CMS as the final decision. Below are the current exemptions as outlined by CMS:

Exemption 1: I practice in a rural area without sufficient high speed internet access
Eligible provider/group attests that they operate in a geographic area that has limited high-speed internet access. High speed internet access facilitates the communications required to complete electronic prescribing activities

Exemption 2: I practice in an area without sufficient available pharmacies for electronic prescribing
Eligible provider/group attests that they operate in a geographic area that has limited pharmacies able to receive electronic prescriptions

Exemption 3: I registered to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs for 2011 and have adopted Certified EHR technology
Eligible provider/group attests that they are actively participating in the CMS EHR Incentive Program. This means that a provider is using CMS “qualified” or ONC-ATCB “certified” EHR with the required e-Prescribing functionality and intends to seek Incentive Payments during the 2011 year. Timing is challenging for this exemption as many providers aren’t planning to attest for incentive payments in 2011. If this exemption does apply, providers will need to provide their CMS EHR Incentive Program Registration ID #.

Exemption 4: I have an inability to electronically prescribe due to local, State, or Federal law or regulation
Eligible provider/group attests that they prescribe medications that cannot be electronically prescribed due to local/state/federal regulations. This could include providers who prescribe a large percentage of narcotics that cannot be electronically prescribed or providers operating in a state that does not allow e-Prescribing.

Exemption 5: I have limited prescribing activity
Eligible provider/group attests that they write prescriptions on a limited basis. This could include Nurse Practitioners who write prescriptions under another NPI or a physician has a DEA expiration during the reporting period.

Exemption 6: I had insufficient opportunities to report the electronic prescribing measure
Eligible provider/group attests that they see a limited number of qualifying visits. This could include Surgeons who prescribe during post-operative visits as post op visits are not included in the list of qualified visits.