Anesthesia Coding Alert

Question: Is G8644 used when a provider doesn't have authority under federal law to write a prescription? Or does it indicate the eligible provider didn't have e-prescribing technology to submit an e-rx?

Washington Subscriber

Answer: You should use G8644 (Eligible provider does not have prescribing privileges) for a physician or non-physician provider who would otherwise be required to participate in the ePrescribe program but the provider does not have prescribing privileges (such as no license to prescribe). The one-time reporting of code G8644 was required in 2011 for the provider to be granted an exception.

According to CMS's 2011 Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program Update ,CMS has this to say about G8633: "There will be a G8644 code which can be used by eligible professionals to indicate that they do not have prescribing privileges." You can read the entire document online at www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/Downloads/2011eRxIncentiveProgramUpdatefor2012PaymentAdjustment05-09-11.pdf.