Over-the-counter (OTC) medicine may be counted for purposes of the Electronic Prescribing (eRx)

 If an eligible professional electronically prescribes over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, will this be counted for purposes of the Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program?

Published 05/11/2011 02:09 PM   |    Updated 05/12/2011 02:07 PM   |    Answer ID 10636

If an eligible professional sends an eRx (via a qualified eRx system) to the pharmacy electronically (for a denominator-eligible visit) then the eRx event would count–even for an OTC medicine. The key is the prescription needs to be sent electronically to a receiving entity and the system needs to be able to check for the dose, and drug-drug interactions, etc., if they are available, just like for a regular eRx.

Also See http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/

Important:  Be sure to submit on applicable claims the eRX G-code (G8553) BEFORE June 30, 2011

Time is running out! Less than 37 days left to avoid electronic prescribing penalties.

The deadline for eligible Medicare providers to avoid ePrescribing penalties is June 30, 2011!

To avoid the 2012 payment adjustment you need to successfully e-prescribe for Medicare patients 10 times before June 30, 2011 (and 25 times by the end of the year 2011) using claims-based reporting.  Each applicable visit must include the eRX G-code (G8553) on claims with the appropriate office visit code, attesting that during the patient visit at least one prescription was electronically prescribed. E-prescribed refills and faxed prescriptions do not qualify as electronic prescriptions. 

Any applicable hardship or exemption codes must be filed prior to the June 30^th, 2011 deadline as well.

Also note: To qualify for the 2011 eRX incentive, eligible professionals must report G-code G8553 for at least 25 unique patient eRX events that are associated with certain procedure codes. 

Please visit http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive for more information about the program.

Also, learn more during one of our upcoming ePrescribe webinars.  Register online at one of the links below.

June 7 – ePrescribe Tour:  On-Line / Duration: 30 Minutes

June 9 – ePrescribe Class: On-Line / Duration: 45 Minutes

Questions? visit http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/ or Contact us.