The NCMS reminds physicians, group practices and other eligible health care professionals that they have until November 1, 2011, to submit a significant hardship exemption request and rationale under the 2011 Medicare Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Final Rule.

Physicians can determine if they are subject to the 2012 ePrescribing (eRx) payment adjustment by reviewing the MLN Article SE1107, from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). If you believe that you may be subject to the 2012 eRx payment adjustment, you should determine if you meet any of the hardship exemption categories specified by CMS in the 2011 Medicare Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Final Rule. A Quick Reference Guide is available to help you understand the changes that the eRx Final Rule made to the 2011 Medicare eRx Incentive Program.

Individual eligible professionals must submit their hardship exemption requests through the Quality Communications Support Page, and group practices participating under the group practice reporting option (GPRO) must submit hardship exemption requests via a letter to CMS. Additional information and resources are available at www.cms.gov/erxincentive.

More Important Registration Details for Medicare

November 30, 2011, is the last day for Medicare eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) to register and attest to receive an incentive payment for Federal fiscal year 2011.

February 29, 2012, is the last day for Medicare eligible professionals to register and attest to receive an incentive payment for calendar year 2011.