Physicians who were unable to meet the Medicare ePrescribing program's requirements have until Nov. 1 to apply for a hardship exemption to avoid monetary penalties in 2012.
The Medicare ePrescribing penalty rule required physicians to issue and report at least 10 electronic scripts (e-scripts) during the first six months of 2011. Those who were unable to do so face a penalty that reduces their total 2012 Medicare payments by 1 percent.