“The last minute decision to require e-prescribing in 2011 will force physicians to spend additional financial and administrative resources to purchase e-prescribing software that most of them will end up discarding when they transition to a complete [electronic health record] system,” said AMA Board Secretary Steven Stack, MD.
Currently, CMS is not allowing physicians to receive incentives for utilization of e-prescribing and EHRs simultaneously. However, if physicians choose not to participate in the 2011 e-prescribing program, they will face penalties in 2012 and 2013. AHA says not aligning these programs would ultimately delay physicians’ efforts to adopt a complete EHR.
Read the AHA news release about the e-prescribing penalty policy.
Read other coverage about e-prescribing.
– Iowa Health System Launches First Statewide Electronic Prescribing System
