AMA: Concerns Remain With Medicare E-Prescribing Rule

Following release of a final rule making changes to Medicare's Electronic Prescribing Incentive program, the American Medical Association has issued the following statement:

"The American Medical Association appreciates changes made by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that provide more flexibility under the Medicare e-prescribing program so that more physicians who are unable to meet all the program requirements can be eligible and apply for an exemption to avoid penalties in 2012. However, the AMA remains concerned that physicians only have a short period of time to apply for an exemption once CMS' Web-based tool is made available.

"We are pleased that CMS has provided more flexibility under the exemption categories and that they have extended the deadline for physicians to apply for an exemption until November 1. However, we had hoped for even greater flexibility, including an additional reporting period. We remain concerned that physicians will be hit with a penalty and are not being given enough time to comply with the e-prescribing program criteria to avoid this penalty."