Despite continued opposition voiced by industry groups to the rapid succession of deadlines, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is moving ahead with a timetable for its ePrescribing program. Failure to comply could cost physicians 1 percent of their Medicare or Medicaid reimbursements.

The American Medical Association recently issued a reminder to physicians that they have until November 1 to file for a hardship exemption with CMS. This could help them avoid penalties under the ePrescribing program.

"Although we remain concerned that physicians are not being given enough time to comply with the ePrescribing program criteria, the AMA wants to ensure that physicians who are not able to meet the program requirements are aware of this upcoming exemption deadline so they can avoid penalties," said AMA past president Cecil Wilson.

Once a practice has been granted a hardship exemption, they may want to begin considering adopting an ePrescribing program in order to participate in the government's meaningful use incentive program. EPrescribing is a central requirement of the program, and participating could earn physicians significant incentive payments.