Medicare and Medicaid bonus payments to implement Electronic Health Records

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was signed into law by President Barack Obama on February 17, 2009. IBeginning in 2011, it  provides $17.2 billion over 5 years in Medicare and Medicaid incentives designed to facilitate the widespread implementation of certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems into physician practices and hospitals. Physicians, facilities, and other providers will receive money through Medicare or Medicaid programs for their “meaningful use” of EHRs. Payments are structured to encourage early adoption and penalties discourage procrastination.

• $44000 Medicare Incentives for implementing Certified EMR / EHR Software
  

• $64000 Medicaid Incentives for implementing Certified EMR / EHR Software

• Compare Medicare and Medicaid Incentives to make a more informed decision on your options.

• Why you must implement EMR / EHR Software now?

As eligibility is based on usage, even physicians who already use EHR systems will be eligible. Whether you already use an EHR system or just starting to survey the landscape, RevenueXL can help you navigate this process.

What is Certified EHR?

Certified EHR Software is a ‘Qualified EHR’ that is certified by an authorized authority (final details have not yet emerged, but likely to be a number of agencies) as meeting standards applicable to the type of record involved.

What is Qualified EHR?

A Qualified EHR is an electronic record of health-related information on an individual that:

• Includes patient demographic and clinical health information, such as medical history and problem lists; and

• Has the capacity to:

  • Provide Clinical decision support – includes drug allergy and drug interaction tracking capability, etc.

  • Support Physician Order Entry

  • Ability to capture and query information relevant to healthcare quality; and

  • Exchange electronic health information with and integrate such information from other sources - includes elements of system interoperability, etc.

Although the definition of a “Qualified EHR system” is relatively soft right now (meets the above criteria and is certified), the definition will become more onerous between now and the 5-year incentive period ahead. Throughout this period, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT) will be issuing regulations over time that will define additional qualifying criteria and certification standards.

Our EHR Incentives consulting services do not cost you anything. So why not contact us today for a FREE Consulting session to help you maneuver the incentives maze by simply completing our FREE Consulting Session Form.

You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain! And that is our promise to you.