There are many reasons for practices to adopt an ePrescribing system. The fact that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is offering incentives for practices that do and penalties for those that don't is the most obvious one. However, the benefits of these systems go beyond the obvious.

Experts say that ePrescribing systems allow physicians to view a patient's entire medical history. The technology can also expedite the refill process and check for potentially harmful drug interactions, which enhances patient safety.

Furthermore, an ePrescribing service that appropriately matches a practice's needs may enhance workflow and eliminate inefficiencies in the prescribing process. For example, a recent article in Information Week cited the ability of the SRS ePrescribing system to save physicians significant amounts of time by automating steps in the process.

The article stated that the system is compliant with the government's ePrescribing and electronic health record incentive programs.

If these benefits aren't enough to convince practices of the need to adopt ePrescribing technology, the incentive payments may be. Physicians can earn up to a 2 percent increase in their reimbursement rate for treating Medicare patients.