Frequently Asked Questions

I fax prescriptions all the time, yet Meaningful use dashboard says 0%. Why?

 Faxing Prescriptions is not considered 'Electronic Prescription'. Electronic Prescription - eRX - is facilitated by a direct electronic link with Surescripts. This is a secure messaging system that enables the electronic prescription message into the pharmacy's computer system directly. 

Exchanging prescription information electronically between prescribers and pharmacies improves the accuracy of the prescribing process and saves time. Time savings primarily result from reduced pharmacy phone calls and faxes related to prescription renewal authorizations as well as from a reduced need for pharmacy staff to key in prescription data.

WRS is a Surescripts Gold Partner. Benefits to you include:

  • Access Patient Prescription Benefit Information
  • Access Patient Medication History

See this video to help you become meaningful use compliant and prescribe electronically.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/pUKSxuYfLqE

 

How do I comply with Meaningful Use in the WRS system?

 You can now watch videos of each Meaningful Use Criteria. 

You will find each meaningful use criteria, its definition and a link to watch the relevant video.

http://www.waitingroomsolutions.com/wrs/meaningful-use-videos

How to determine if provider is eligible for Medicaid Incentive Program?

Were at least 30% of your service furnished to Medicaid Patients? (20% for Pediatricians)

Medicaid patients might be fee-for-service encounters where the State Medicaid Agency pays you for your services (this includes primary care case management and medical home programs). Also it might mean that you see patients through a state's Medicaid managed care program (i.e. you are a network provider for a managed care organization contracted to provide Medicaid services). Please contact your State Medicaid Agency about this and for more information about calculating the patient volume with precision.

 

How do I Register for EHR Incentive Program? Do you have a simple video?

For full screen view, click button on lower right corner of video frame. 

 

What is the Waiting Room Solutions ONC Certification ID that must be used for CMS Registration?

 There are two sets of Certification numbers and it is easy to get confused. 

What you need for CMS Incentive Registration is this: 

30000001TCY5EAK

ONC Certificate number is CC-1112-288380-1. This is the number you see below the ONC Seal and also on CCHIT website:

http://www.cchit.org/products/2011-2012/arrafinalruleeligibleprovider/2866

If I am receiving payments under the CMS eRx Incentive Program, can I also receive Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Payments?

 

If the eligible professional (EP) chooses to participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, they cannot participate in the eRx Incentive Program in the same program year. If the EP chooses to participate in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, they can participate in the Medicare eRx Incentive Program simultaneously.

When choosing to participate in Medicare’s Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program (eRx), know that the two percent incentive payment will not be paid if participating in the Medicare EHR incentive program. If deciding not to participate in the Medicare EHR incentive program, it would be a wise choice to entertain the idea of using eRx.

Why participate in eRx? First, there is more revenue to be made for your practice. For 2010, incentive amounts are two percent of the total estimated Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule allowed charges.

Secondly, starting in 2012 those who are not “successful electronic prescribers” will be subject to a penalty. There are three different ways to report to CMS: Through claims, to a qualified registry that will report on your behalf, and through a qualified EHR product. Electronic prescribing is part of the future of medicine so start now by using an eRx program or a certified EHR system. To learn more about eRx visit cms.org/erx.

If deciding to go for the Medicare EHR incentive program, e-prescribing is a small part of the core set in showing meaningful use to get the $44,000 in incentive money. More than forty percent of all permissible prescriptions written by the physician have to be transmitted electronically using certified EHR technology. E-prescribing is just a small involvement in reaching meaningful use in an EHR system but a very important measure.

So, which incentive program is better to use? This question is ultimately up to each practice and where they feel they are in implementing either program. Both incentive programs are great to help move forward our healthcare system today.

 

 

When does Registration for Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentives start?

Registration for EHR Incentive Programs Starts January 3, 2011. Here are the steps.

We encourage providers to register for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Program(s) as soon as possible. You can register before you have a certified EHR. Register even if you do not have an enrollment record in PECOS.
It is only a few days away. A link to registration is not yet posted on the CMS Incentive Programs website. You can keep watching this page for the latest updates.
 
Medicaid EHR Incentive programs in many states will also begin on January 3, 2011. Some states will not be ready to participate on this date. As of this writing, Registration for Medicaid EHR incentives opens in the following states on January 3, 2011:
  • Alaska
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Oklahoma
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
Registration opens in the following states in February 2011:
  • California
  • Missouri
  • North Dakota
Other states likely will launch their Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs during the spring and summer of 2011.
 
If you wish to participate in the Medicaid program you must initiate registration at CMS registration site, but complete the process through an eligibility verification site through your state Medicaid agency.
What next?
First, you need to make sure you know which program you are applying for; Medicare or Medicaid. For the appropriate system you will apply for, you need the following:
  1. Your NPI – National Provider Identifier number.
  2. All Medicare eligible professionals must have an enrollment record in PECOS to participate. (Note: Eligible professionals who are only participating in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program are not required to be enrolled in PECOS.)

Also Note : If you do not have an enrollment record in PECOS yet, you should still register for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.

You can use the same user ID and Password you use for National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). This is also the same User ID and Password that is used to access PECOS.
If you do not have an active User ID and Password for NPPES or PECOS, you can get it via Identity and Access Management website. (click the link). You will need:
  • Type 2 NPI
  • Taxpayer Identification number (TIN)
  • Address from the IRS form CP-575 (Ask your accountant).
Please remember that if you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Programs, you must choose which incentive program you wish to participate in when you register. It is nice, however, that before 2015, you may switch programs only once after the first incentive payment is initiated. This means that you can maximize your incentive payments by participating in the Medicaid Incentive Program.
Note: Waiting Room Solutions is scheduled to get ONC-ATCB Certification soon, we’ll keep you posted. Visit this page often.
Summary: Key Dates in 2011
 
  • Jan. 3: Registration for the Medicare EHR incentive program begins.
  • Jan. 3: States that are ready may launch their incentive programs for Medicaid providers.  
  • January: Some state agencies begin issuing Medicaid EHR incentive payments.
  • April: Attestation for the Medicare EHR incentive program begins.
  • May: Issuing of Medicare EHR incentive payments expected to begin.
 
Important Links
  1. Registration and Attestation website when it opens: http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/20_RegistrationandAttestation.asp#TopOfPage
  2. EHR Incentive Programs Overview: http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/01_Overview.asp#TopOfPage
  3. Are you an “EP” – Eligible Provider? http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/15_Eligibility.asp#TopOfPage
  4. Waiting Room Solutions CCHIT Certification: http://www.cchit.org/products/2011/ambulatory/2763
What is Required to Participate in the Incentive?
  • The program is open to all enrolled Medicare providers, no special incentive registration required
  • Provider must use an eRx system that incorporates the following:
  • Generates an active medication list
  • Selects Medications, prints prescriptions, electronically transmits prescriptions
  • Conducts all safety checks (drug-drug interaction, drug-allergy interaction)
  • Provides information related to lower cost, therapeutically appropriate alternatives
  • Provides Formulary or tiered formulary medications,
  • Provides electronic patient eligibility and authorization requirements, where applicable

NOTE: WRS includes this functionality and is certified via SureScripts/rXHub. SureScripts being one of the major pilot programs for Medicare E-Prescribing since 2005. Click to learn more about the WRS ERx Module.