CMS Establishes Web Tool to report eRx Hardships
October 11, 2011 – On August 31, 2011, CMS released the final rule for the eRx program, which included additional hardship exemptions for the 2011 calendar year for purposes of the 2012 payment adjustment. As part of the request for hardship exemptions, EPs (eligible professionals) must submit their hardship requests via CMS’ web tool, the “Communication Support Page.”
Individual EPs and Group Practices NOT participating in the GPRO I or II reporting options.
The following information must be completed on the Communication Support Page:
- Identifying information such as the legal name of the provider as registered in PECOS, theTIN, NPI, mailing address, and email address of all affected professionals
- The significant hardship exemption category that applies
- A justification statement describing how compliance with the requirement for being a successful e-prescriber for the 2012 eRx payment adjustment during the reporting period would result in a significant hardship to the EP or group practice. (maximum of 250 words)
- An attestation of the accuracy of the information provided
The Communication Support Page may be accessed by clicking below and scrolling down to the Related Links Outside CMS. Information on the 2012 Payment Adjustment and how to use the Communication Support Page are also included in this site.
Group Practices Participating in the GPRO I or II Reporting Options
Group practices participating in the 2011 eRx group practice reporting option (GPRO I or II) may not submit their hardship request through the Communication Support Page. Instead they must submit a letter with the afore-mentioned information to:
Significant Hardship Exemptions
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Office of Clinical Standards and Quality
Quality Measurement and Health Assessment Group
7500 Security Boulevard
Mail Stop S3-02-01
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
The letter must be postmarked no later than November 1, 2011.
Tags: eRx Incentive Program
