Primary Care Coding Alert

Question: We're still working to become compliant with eprescribing. We don't have a large number of Medicare patients to draw from over time -- we just see many of the same patients repeatedly. Considering that, can you explain the parameters for reporting G8553?

Michigan Subscriber

Answer: You can submit G8553 (At least one prescription created during the encounter was generated and transmitted electronically using a qualified eRx system) for the same patient at every encounter during which the provider generates an e-prescription. Because of this, you can meet e-prescribing criteria even if you have a small Medicare population, because you can submit G8553 more than once for each patient.

Remember: Some coders also have questions about whether the e-script is only valid when sent while the patient is still in your office. That detail doesn't matter, as long as you send the e-script as a direct result of the office visit and the provider's documentation supports the work.

For more information on the use of G8553 and how to get started with Medicare's e-prescribing incentive program,  be sure to visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' web site at http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/03_How_To_Get_Started.asp#TopOfPage