John, this is absolutely correct. I asked the Maine Regional Extension Center Director about this. My question: do we have to report the code G8553 if we are participating in Meaningful Use. You would think that since ERx is part of the MU requirement, if we successfully attest to MU we should not also have to attest to the ERx. So, she contacted CMS: the answer..... a HUGE RUN-AROUND. After 6 weeks of tenaciously researching this matter, they returned an answer....YES you still have to report on the ERx incentive with G8553 or suffer the consequences, as you said a 1.5% penalty.
Also as you pointed out, this is the U.S. Federal Government we are dealing with and common sense has no place there.
