Representatives from the U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) recently discussed details of an electronic prescribing incentive program scheduled to begin on Jan. 1, 2009. The program will increase Medicare payments to physicians who adopt this new technology.
 
The e-prescribing initiative was included in a new Medicare law that delays a 10.6 percent reduction to Medicare physician payments. Congress recently overrode a presidential veto of the legislation.
 
Widespread adoption of e-prescribing could save taxpayers as much as $156 million over five years, as well as reduce the 1.5 million injuries caused by drug-related errors annually.

This article originally appeared in the August 2008 issue of AAKP Public Policy Briefing.