From the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is offering an informal review to physicians who will be hit with a 1.5 percent penalty on Medicare claims in 2013 based on their participation or non participation in the 2012 Medicare E-Prescribing Program. Physicians who did not meet 2012 program requirements or qualify for a hardship exemption are subject to the penalty. Physicians can request a review by sending an email with justification before Feb. 28 to eRxInformalReview@cms.hhs.gov, including their National Provider Identifier and contact information. CMS is in the process of notifying physicians who will be penalized.

Physicians have until Jan. 31 to request an exemption from the 2013 Medicare E-Prescribing Program to avoid facing a similar penalty in 2014. The Academy website provides more information about the e-prescribing program.