Coding & Compliance - February 2010

“2010 E-Prescribing Update”

Physicians who have adopted an e-prescription system are eligible to potentially earn a 2 percent bonus of their total Medicare allowed charges.  Effective January 1, 2010 CMS issued a new numerator G code.

G8553 – At least one prescription created during the encounter was generated and transmitted electronically using a qualified  e-Prescribing system.

CMS reasons that if a physician has an e-Prescribing system, and changes their work processes, then there is no added benefit to reporting on the additional changes.

Physicians can show that they are using a qualified e-Prescribing program by reporting on 25 claims only which should be unique visits, (per eligible professional, not per practice) for the entire year.  Only one code should be reported on a claims basis with the appropriate office based service. You will also need to verify that this measure’s denominator code makes up 10 percent of the eligible professional’s Medicare Part B charges.  The denominator codes likely to be used are office and outpatient E&M codes 99201-99215.

Listed below is the bonus/incentive payment for successfully reporting on claims for each year:

Bonus                                     Year
2%                                           2010
1%                                           2011
1%                                           2012
0.5%                                        2013

For additional information regarding the CMS incentive program visit www.cms.hhs.gov/EPrescribing

Remember that February is also Heart Awareness Month!

Click here for a printable version of this newsletter: CCFeb2010

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding this article please contact Cindy Tipton at Cindy_Tipton@MED3000.com