5 tips to get your e-prescribing up to speed, avoid 2012 penalties

Why This Topic Matters

E-prescribing participation can affect Medicare reimbursement and operational workflow, so practices need to understand the reporting environment and implementation issues before penalties take effect. The article highlights the practical and administrative considerations that influence readiness for the program.

Article Sections

1. Program timing and Medicare reporting context

   Introduces the e-prescribing incentive and penalty timeline and the Medicare reporting context driving the article. Summarizes the general compliance concerns practices must monitor.

2. Eligibility and hardship exemption overview

   Reviews the broad eligibility concepts and exemption categories discussed in the article. Covers the types of provider and practice circumstances that affect reporting under the program.

3. Practice implementation experience

   Describes one clinic’s experience adopting an e-prescribing system and the operational issues encountered during rollout. Focuses on workflow and implementation considerations rather than detailed coding instructions.

4. Implementation tips for workflow and pharmacy setup

   Presents general advice on system selection, staff training, support planning, and pharmacy workflow preparation. Also discusses ways practices can improve day-to-day use of the system.