In recent months, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has been publicizing its support for e-prescribing, i.e. electronically generating and transmitting prescriptions via computer in lieu of traditional paper. CMS has even announced its intention to pay financial incentives (2%) to encourage providers to begin “e-prescribing” in 2009.
To support CMS efforts, a consortium calling itself the “eHealth Initiative,” in collaboration with
the American Medical Association and various other physician groups, has issued a guide to assist providers in transition from paper to e-prescribing. Their “Clinician’s Guide to Electronic Prescribing” was released last week at the CMS National e-Prescribing Conference in Boston and is available online here.
Recommended Action:
Transitioning to e-prescribing is not going to be without cost and effort, but there are significant potential advantages and options to minimize expenses. Beyond the 2% bonus that CMS will be paying to early adopters, e-prescribing holds out the potential for greater safety (e.g. appropriate dosing, drug interaction, and allergy verification), fewer errors in physician-pharmacy communications (e.g. from illegible handwriting or medication errors), less risk of patient abuse, and less need for front-office personnel to administer and relay prescriptions. Physicians dissuaded by the anticipated software expense should explore several free web-based options for e-prescribing, including the National ePrescribing Patient Safety Initiative (NEPSI).
Harry Nelson is a partner in Fenton & Nelson, LLP. Fenton & Nelson counsels physicians and other healthcare providers on regulatory compliance and business matters. For additional information, please contact him at harry@fentonnelson.com
©Harry Nelson 2008
