CMS Aligns eRX Incentive with Meaningful Use

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule making changes to the Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program.

The changes are designed to better align the eRX Incentive program with the electronic health record meaningful use incentive program. The eRX Incentive program has its own quality measure to determine whether an eligible professional is using a "qualified" electronic prescribing system that performs four specific functions. The program does not require certification of the system.

Under the proposed rule, EHRs that have received meaningful use certification would be deemed to qualify for the eRX Incentive program by expanding the definition of a qualified e-prescribing system. The rule is available here, with publication in the Federal Register scheduled on June 1.

--Joseph Goedert