The GAO has issued a report entitled “Electronic Prescribing: CMS Should Address Inconsistencies in Its Two Incentive Programs That Encourage the Use of Health Information Technology.” The GAO examines differences between the CMS Electronic Prescribing (eRx) program and the EHR program, both of which provide incentive payments to eligible Medicare providers who adopt and use health information technology, and penalties for those who do not. In particular, the GAO is concerned that, in contrast to the EHR program, the eRx program does not have a certification requirement, so providers have no assurance that their systems will meet eRx program requirements. The two programs also have separate reporting requirements, potentially requiring physicians to report to both programs in 2011 through 2014. The GAO recommends that CMS take a number of steps, including encouraging providers in the eRx program to adopt certified technology, and expediting efforts to remove overlapping reporting requirements for physicians participating in both programs.