The new program, called Get Connected, is now used by 17 different medical associations, bringing physicians to an online portal — www.GetRxConnected.org — that provides a step-by-step process to transition from paper-based to electronic prescribing.
Under the Medicare incentive program, which begins in January, qualifying providers will receive a 2 percent payment in 2009 and 2010, a 1 percent payment in 2011 and 2012, and a 0.5 percent payment in 2013.
In addition, the HITECH provisions in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act offer incentive payments of up to $44,000 a year from 2011 to 2014 for installing and using electronic medical records, including e-prescribing.
To qualify for Medicare’s incentive program, the physician must install an e-prescribing program that has the following attributes:
1. Generates a medication list;
2. Selects medications, send e-prescriptions based on applicable standards and warn of undesirable or unsafe situations;
3. Lists lower-cost, therapeutically appropriate alternatives; and
4. Shows formulary or tiered-formulary medications and patient eligibility and authorization requirements from the patient’s drug plan.
Read the AAOS’ release on the e-prescribing program.
At the Becker’s 32nd Annual Meeting: The Business and Operations of ASCs, taking place October 29-31 in Chicago, ASC leaders, surgeons and healthcare executives will explore strategies to drive growth, enhance operational performance, navigate reimbursement challenges and prepare for the future of ambulatory surgery. Apply for complimentary registration now.
