Updates on eRX or e-Prescribing

Here is a good article on the basics of eRx. Take note of the incentives being given to Prescribers for adoption of this new technology. "Physicians who adopt eRX technology and participate in PQRI could receive a Medicare payment bonus of up to 4 percent in 2009.......The e-prescribing bonus, which will continue through 2013, is designed to accelerate the adoption of eRX and EHRs by streamlining the prescription process and reducing errors."
http://www.aaos.org/news/aaosnow/oct08/managing6.asp

Here is a good document on eRX that also summarizes the legislation going on in this area. Note that, "E-prescribing has been the subject of a significant amount of attention recently from Congress, after the introduction of legislation in both the House and the Senate that would
provide financial incentives and disincentives for e-prescribing by ambulatory physicians under the Medicare program. Such legislation, originally known as the E-MEDS bill, would provide a lump sum bonus for the use of e-prescribing for those physicians who meet a minimum threshold volume of prescriptions specified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. It would also provide ongoing incentives for e-prescribing by physicians under Medicare. However, for any physician not electronically prescribing by the year 2011, reimbursement would be reduced by a certain amount....... " As of May 2008, 52 separate pieces of legislation have been introduced across nine different states that include provisions related either directly or indirectly to e-prescribing systems. Some states such as California have proposed legislationxxxix that would require eprescribing systems to meet specified standards and requirements and be adopted by all health care providers contracting with the California Medicaid program by January 1, 2010." http://ehealthinitiative.org/assets/Documents/eHI_CIMM_ePrescribing_Report_6-10-08_FINAL.pdf