With increasing frequency, healthcare providers are giving serious consideration to the adoption and implementation of an E-Prescribing system. Some of the most often cited reasons include the following: enhancing quality of care, increasing practice efficiency, reducing medical malpractice liability (and premiums) and qualifying for governmental and commercial payer incentives.

The following is noteworthy:  An E-Prescribing system can streamline the refill request procedure by reducing time spent by prescribers and their staff on refill requests by 50% (according to a 2006 Brown University study) More than 7,000 Americans die each year from preventable medication errors (according to a 2006 report from the Institute of Medicine) Many medical malpractice insurance carriers offer premium discounts to E-Prescribers E-Prescribers can earn a 2% Medicare bonus during 2009

In view of the looming deadline for participating in Medicare’s E-Prescribing program, we would like to devote a few blogs to exploring how medical providers can earn a Medicare bonus during 2009 and subsequent years.

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