Deadline Fast Approaching for Filing E-Prescribing Hardship Exemption - AMDA Offers Advice
AMDA has prepared guidance for physicians who are eligible professionals (EPs) involved in the national Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program, a reporting program that uses a combination of incentive payments and payment adjustments to encourage electronic prescribing. EPs are identified on claims by their individual National Provider Identifier and Tax Identification Number who successfully e-prescribe for covered Physician Fee Schedule services furnished to Medicare Part B Fee-for-Service beneficiaries. If you are an EP or part of a group practice participating under PQRS Group Practice Reporting Option, you may be able to request a significant hardship exemption from the eRx penalty. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will determine whether compliance with the requirement for being a successful electronic prescriber would result in significant hardship. CMS will review exemptions on a case-by-case basis. Exemptions are subject to annual renewal.
AMDA staff recently received advice that QualityNet Support is one way to get help on filing for the hardship exemption. Established by CMS, QualityNet provides health care quality improvement news, resources, and data reporting tools and applications used by providers and others. QualityNet is the only CMS-approved website for secure communications and healthcare quality data exchange between: quality improvement organizations (QIOs), hospitals, physician offices, nursing homes, end stage renal disease (ESRD) networks and facilities, and data vendors. “According to the advice we received, QualityNet will write up a ticket number for you and walk you through the process. They will direct you to the web site and take you step by step to request a hardship exemption. The notification of your Remedy Ticket will be mailed to you, and your exemption will be processed within 30 days,” said AMDA Clinical Affairs Director Jacqueline Vance, RNC. Call or email the QualityNet Help Desk at 866-288-8912 or qnetsupport@sdps.org.
It is important to note that there is no appeal for this year or last year, as the deadline for that has passed.There are no exceptions to this. The increased penalty of 1.5% for 2013 can be exempted prior to June 30th 2012. There will be no exceptions after that date.
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