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Frequently Asked Questions about
Meaningful Use and eRx modules

For FAQs on PCArchiver, click HERE


Meaningful Use and eRx module  FAQs

What is PCArchiver's role with your Meaningful Use and eRx module?

May I continue to enter patient encounters as dictated or handwritten notes?

May I continue to use paper charts in my office?

Why do I see demos of EMR systems that show templates, buttons, and pages of clicks?

Can data be entered via an iPad or tablet?

Who completes the Meaningful Use/eRx module?

What is included in Meaningful Use data?

How do I enroll to get the MC/MA incentive money?

Explain mechanism, incentives, and penalties for eRx.

Where is the the MU/eRx software located?

Do I need a constant internet connection?

What do I do about electronic prescribing?

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What is PCArchiver's role with your Meaningful Use and eRx module?

You may stay in paper charts, as long as the visit is digitized in PCArchiver. This falls under the definition of 'free text' and is allowed by federal guidelines. However, to get federal incentive funds, you must add a Meaningful Use and ePrescribing module. PCArchiver has researched available Meaningful Use and ePrescribing software to find options that incorporate everything you need to achieve Stage 1 Meaningful Use. You are eligible to apply for all federal incentive money ($44,000 over 5 years if applied for before October 1, 2012).

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May I continue to enter patient encounters as dictated or handwritten notes?

Nothing precludes the documentation of the visit in 'free text,' which may include dictation, voice recognition, or hand written notes, as long as the pages are later digitized (scanned). Only the components of the visit that the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services include in its Meaningful Use parameters must be entered in a structured manner. There is NO need to enter patient data, other than required for Meaningful Use, to be entered with templates, dropdowns, buttons, or clicks. Most of the effort you are making when you do this is to generate billing, making the doctor the most expensive billing clerk in the office.

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Can data be entered via an iPad or tablet?

Yes, but this requires a that a wi-fi connection has been setup in the office..

Who completes the Meaningful Use and ePrescribing module?

Back office staff can enter ALL the Meaningful Use data.

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What is included in Meaningful Use data?

Age, sex, ethnicity, smoking history, BP with graphing, height and weight to generate BMI with graphing, allergies, immunizations, problem lists, and medication lists. Every item that needs to be included to achieve Meaningful Use has been included in the recommended modules.

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May I continue to use paper charts in my office?

Absolutely, just scan them with PCArchiver at some point so that you also have a digital copy,

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How do I enroll to get the MC/MA incentive money?

CLICK HERE to login to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) site to sign up.

A common misconception is that the first year incentives are automatically $18,000. According to the legislation, the incentives are earned at a rate of 75% of Medicare Part B FFS Allowable Charges up to the maximum, (i.e., $18,000 for year 1). What this means is that once a provider successfully attests to meeting meaningful use, CMS will check to see if he/she has generated sufficient Medicare revenue to warrant the $18,000 incentive—i.e., $24,000 in charges. If so, CMS will issue the check. If not, CMS will wait until the provider reaches $24,000 and then release the incentive payment. For the few providers with very small Medicare populations, CMS will wait until February 2012 to receive all of the provider’s claims for 2011, and then send an incentive in the amount of 75% of his/her 2011 Medicare charges.

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Explain mechanism, incentives, and penalties for eRx.

  • Incentives are earned per provider, and each provider must individually meet the requirements. This means that some providers within a practice might qualify for an incentive, while others might incur a penalty. (Group reporting options exist, but they are limited and require qualification.)
  • Reporting is by G-Code and there is only one: Use G-8553 on the Medicare claim to report that “at least one Rx was generated and transmitted using a qualified ePrescribing system during the patient encounter.”
  • Year Incentives* Penalties*
    2011 1%
    2012 1% 1%**
    2013 0.5% 1.5%**
    2014 on 2%

  • Specified CPT codes* must make up 10% or more of practitioner’s total Part B claims:
  • 90801, 90802, 90804, 90805, 90806, 90807, 90808, 90809, 90862, 92002, 92004, 92012, 92014, 96150, 96151, 96152, 99201, 99202, 99203, 99204, 99205, 99211, 99212, 99213, 99214, 99215, 99241, 99242, 99243, 99244, 99245, 99304, 99305, 99306, 99307, 99308, 99309, 99310, 99315, 99316, 99324, 99325, 99326, 99327, 99328, 99334, 99335, 99336, 99337, 99341, 99342, 99343, 99344, 99345, 99346, 99347, 99348, 99349, 99350, G0101, G0108, G0109
  • “G-code” G8553 (ePrescribed) is submitted at least 25 times during the year on claims for the CPT codes specified above.
  • Reporting is claims-based; no program registration is required.
  • For claims-based reporting instructions:from CMS, click here.

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Where is the the MU/eRx software located?

The software is installed in your office, but will be communicating to the other company's servers throughout the day.

What do I do about electronic prescribing?

Electronic prescribing is included as an app within all recommended company's software. Separate patient entry is not necessary.

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