Core Measure 4
e-Prescribing (eRx)
Objective:
Generate and transmit permissible prescriptions electronically (eRx).
Measure:
More than 40 percent of all permissible prescriptions written by the eligible professional are transmitted electronically using certified EHR technology.
CMS Resources
The following resources are available to help you meet the e-Prescribing meaningful use core measure:
- EHR Meaningful Use Specification Sheet for Eligible Professionals – Core Measure 4 of 15 [PDF - 214k]
Related CMS EHR Incentive Program Frequently Asked Questions
Lessons from the Field
"By directing all electronic prescription refill requests to one central inbox, practices can streamline care coordination, and reduce staff workload."
—Jason Felts, Health IT Practice Advisor, Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality 
When implementing an electronic prescribing solution, accepting prescription refill requests in multiple forms (by telephone, fax, etc.) requires an extensive amount of coordination between staff members. Implementers in the field have found it effective to designate one staff member to be responsible for coordinating the transmission of electronic prescription refills. One central repository for all prescription refill requests can reduce the need for extensive synchronization between all staff members.
National Learning Consortium Resources
The following resources are examples of tools that are used in the field today for e-Prescribing. These tools have been recommended by "boots-on-the-ground" professionals for use by others who have made the commitment to implement or upgrade to certified EHR systems.
Learn more about The National Learning Consortium.
Reference in this web site to any specific resources, tools, products, process, service, manufacturer, or company does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation by the U.S. Government or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
| National Learning Consortium Resources | ||
|---|---|---|
| Resource Name | Description | Source |
|
A Toolset for E-Prescribing Implementation in Physician Offices
|
Toolset that provides knowledge and resources to implement e-prescribing. Includes tools to support planning and decision-making, such as surveys to determine whether an organization is ready for e-prescribing, worksheets for planning the implementation and monitoring progress, and templates for communicating the launch to patients. |
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) |
Related CMS EHR Incentive Program Frequently Asked Questions
- #2939 - For the meaningful use objective of "generate and transmit prescriptions electronically,” how should the numerator and denominator be calculated?
- #2763 - Do controlled substances qualify as "permissible prescriptions" for meeting the electronic prescribing meaningful use objective?
- #2857 - In order to satisfy the meaningful use objective for electronic prescribing, can providers use intermediary networks that convert information from the certified EHR into a computer-based fax for sending to the pharmacy? Should these transactions be included in the numerator for the measure of this objective?
- #2813 - What do the numerators and denominators mean in measures that are required to demonstrate meaningful use?
- #2765 - For EPs who see patients in both inpatient and outpatient settings, and where certified EHR technology is available at each location, should these EPs base their denominators for meaningful use objectives on the number of unique patients in only the outpatient setting or on the total number of unique patients from both settings?
- #2883 - If an EP is unable to meet the measure of a meaningful use objective because it is outside of the scope of his or her practice, will the EP be excluded from meeting the measure of that objective?
- #3065 - Should patient encounters in an ambulatory surgical center be included in the denominator for calculating that at least 50 percent or more of an EP's patient encounters during the reporting period occurred at practices/locations equipped with certified EHR technology?
- #3077 - If an EP sees a patient in a setting that does not have certified EHR technology but enters all of the patient’s information into certified EHR technology at another practice location, can the patient be counted in the numerators and denominators of meaningful use measures?
For additional questions around meaningful use, visit the CMS EHR Incentive Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
