Gastroenterology Coding Alert

Before you get started with electronic prescriptions, it is important to ask yourself if you want to practice e-scribing using a stand-alone system or one that is part of an electronic health record (EHR). Barbara J Cobuzzi, MBA, CPC, CENTC, CPC-H, CPC-P, CPC-I, CHCC, president of CRN Healthcare Solutions in New Jersey, maintains that you should weigh the pros and cons, as follows:

• Stand-alone systems are the least expensive and fastest to implement.

• But EHRs offer additional features that help manage a medical practice over the long run.

• Stand-alones will enable the practice to be up in time for 2010 to optimize the bonus.

• Stand-alone systems may have the capability to interface with a PM or EHR system.

• The practice can then convert from a stand-alone system to an integrated system when an EHR is implemented, providing the practice with the best of both worlds: Speedy implementation of e-scribing and, ultimately, the benefits of an integrated system with an EHR.

CMS's acting administrator Kerry Weems had previously estimated the cost of an e-prescribing system to be about $3,000 per prescriber.

In addition, practices will face recurring costs for the dedicated internet line and maintenance that the systems require, which could cost you between $80 and $400 a month.

Good news: You do not have to have an EMR (electronic medical record) system to e-prescribe. You can find stand-alone e-prescription systems, such as online options, that are substantially less costly than a full-blown EMR.

Red flag: Also, if you're adopting e-scribing, you definitely need to check the regulatory requirements of your state. Get in touch with state officials and make sure you comply with any applicable e-prescribing requirements specific to your state.