Medicare to pay bonuses for e-prescribing

Beginning in 2009, doctors can earn additional money from Medicare if they use electronic prescribing systems, U.S. health officials have announced. The bonus program will continue for four years, and is designed to streamline the prescription process and cut down on errors. In 2009 and 2010, Medicare will give doctors an additional 2% bonus on top of their fee for e-prescribing. In 2011 and 2012, the bonus will drop to 1%, and in 2013, the bonus will drop again to 0.5%, officials said.