Private Practice Associates will use this page to keep participants informed on the latest developments of the HITECH provisions affecting EMR adoption and funding.
Reimbursement for EMR Adoption is Available
The HITECH Stimulus Bill is an opportunity for certain physicians to begin building their practice around a modern electronic medical record system. The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act was signed into law on February 17, 2009 and the health IT component of the Bill, the HITECH Act, appropriates $19.2 billion dollars to encourage the adoption of electronic health records. The Stimulus Bill should help provide most physicians with an electronic health record system at no or net cost to the physician.
Physicians, hospitals and health systems may be eligible to benefit from the incentives, whether through first-time deployment of EHRs or completion of existing health IT projects.
While much remains to be finalized regarding the health IT incentives, these details are known:
The legislation contains significant financial incentives, grants and loans to accelerate the adoption of health IT, including up to $44,000-$64,000 per physician and $2-8 million per hospital.
The legislation has specific time lines associated with meaningful use of EHRs. Funds become available for physicians Jan. 1, 2011 and for hospitals Oct. 1, 2010.
Funding and incentives are tied to meaningful use of certified technology systems.
Overview of HITECH
Funding will be made available to qualified physicians who utilize a certified electronic health record in a “meaningful” way will receive incentive payments through additional reimbursements via either Medicare or Medicaid, depending upon the individual physician’s payor mix.
- Starting in 2011, “meaningful” EHR users can earn $44,000 under the Medicare plan and $64,000 under the Medicaid plan over 5 years.
- Early adopters benefits most as about 70% of the payments comes in the first two years.
- Those engaged in PQRI and electronic prescribing can earn an additional $6,000 - $8,000 per year beginning immediately.
- Physicians that do not adopt an EHR by 2015 will be penalized though % decreases in Medicare reimbursements rates.
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The incentive payments will equal to 75% of the amount paid to eligible professionals by Medicare. Payments are limited to the following schedule: a) Year 1: a. $18,000 if the first payment year is 2011 or 2012b. $15,000 if the first payment year is 2013c. $12,000 if the first payment year is 2014b) Year 2: $12,000c) Year 3: $8000d) Year 4: $4000e) Year 5: $2000 The final payment year is 2015.
How does the stimulus bill affect your clinic?
To be eligible to receive full benefits you need to demonstrate “meaningful” use of a certified EHR system. Purchase and implementation are not enough. “Meaningful” is defined initially in the legislation as:
- Using certified EHR technology that includes electronic prescribing; and
- Using EHR technology that allows electronic exchange of health information.
- Eligible professionals must submit information for the period on the clinical quality measures and other measures selected by the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Stimulus payments are not scheduled to begin until 2011, however the, clinics must qualify to receive the maximum payments.
The transition to a new EHR system can be a timely process when you include the following steps: evaluate your workflows, develop your selection criteria, select a vendor, develop your implementation plan, install your EHR, connect to other providers and have your physicians fully functionally.
PPA and HealthCo Are Here to Help You Adopt EMR
The stimulus dollars are designed to help clinics adopt EMR.
It is vital that clinics take time to assess the best EMR options.
PPA has reviewed the top 15 EMR's and selected the GE Centricity EMR. With PPA's exclusive discount program, clinics can receive even greater reimbursement. Our discount program allows you to take immediate savings during your purchase.
PPA also reviewed the top implementation providers and selected HealthCo as the best company to represent our members. HealthCo has over 2500 physicians currently using GE Centricity EMR.
HealthCo's ability to determine the best course of action starts with a complete analysis and assessment of work flow, staff abilities and adoption issues. This assessment is the first step in determining your EMR goals.
EMR adoption and implementation is a great step forward. Having the best EMR and having the best implementation team supporting you is critical. PPA has brought together the best EMR and the best support team.
Contact PPA at 402-552-3377 to discuss our program or email us at emrinfo@ppamember.com
Contact HealthCo to learn more about their implementation program and to learn more about GE Centricity--a CCHIT certified EMR.
Click here to visit HealthCo:
