Electronic Health Records
Current as of: June 11, 2010
OVERVIEW
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) included many incentives for health care providers to adopt Health Information Technology, most notably Electronic Health Records (EHRs). The Medicaid EHR incentive funds will most benefit community clinics and health centers (CCHCs). In statute, Federally Qualified Health Centers are specifically listed as eligible professionals for the Medicaid EHR incentive funding, as long as they serve at least 30% “needy individuals:” patients covered by Medicaid, including those in Medicaid Managed Care, those enrolled in Healthy Families, patients receiving charity care, and individuals paying for their care on a sliding-fee scale basis.
In order to be eligible to receive these Medicaid payments, “eligible professionals” at health centers will need to demonstrate that they are “engaged in efforts to adopt, implement or upgrade EHR technology.” For subsequent years, health center providers must demonstrate “meaningful use” of EHR technology.
Eligible professionals may receive up to $64,000 over a six year period, covering up to 85 percent of allowable costs. Providers can access up to $25,000 for the first year to cover purchasing an EHR and an additional $10,000 for five subsequent years to cover operations and maintenance.
Providers seeking Medicare EHR Incentive funding may receive up to $44,000. Providers practicing in a HPSA are eligible for a 10 percent bonus for each year of funding.
To learn more- FAQs: Medicaid EHR Incentive Funding and Meaningful Use
CURRENT ADVOCACY
EHR Meaningful Use Workgroup
The Medicaid EHR incentive funding is predicated on a provider’s ability to achieve meaningful use of an EHR. The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) are forming what meaningful use will be in relation to this federal program. During the summer and fall of 2009, the ONC’s two committees- Policy and Standards- met to create the first iteration of meaningful use. They will send their final determination to CMS who will then issue the definition in December 2009 and a 60-day comment period will follow.
CPCA formed an EHR Meaningful Use Workgroup to craft CPCA's response and position on the meaningful use definition. The Workgroup is open to all CPCA members.
If you have any questions about the comments or CPCA’s policy work on EHR and meaningful use, please contact Andie Martinez, Associate Director of Policy (amartinez@cpca.org).
Medicaid EHR Incentive Funding Policy Development
When the ARRA Act was released, the guidelines and regulations surrounding the Medicare/Medicaid EHR Incentive Funding program had yet to be determined. In an effort to ensure that CPCA’s member clinics, both FQHCs and non-FQHCs, receive the most funding possible in the easiest manner possible, CPCA is working with state and federal officials to ensure the policy development of the statute takes into account the needs of CCHCs.
To learn more, contact Andie Martinez, Associate Director of Policy (amartinez@cpca.org).
RESOURCES
CPCA Supporting Materials
Links
Publications
- CMS Final Interim Rule EHRs - 12/30/09
- Stimulus: The Next Stage - AllScripts Powerpoint Presentation
- Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Electronic Health Record Incentive Program Proposed Rule
- Health Information Technology: Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology Interim Final Rule
- Optimizing HIT/HIE to Achieve Meaningful Use, Toby Douglas, Chief Deputy Director, Health Care Programs, DHCS (November 2009)
- Second Iteration of Meaningful Use Matrix, ONC Policy Committee (July 10, 2009)
- Meaningful Connections: A Resource Guide for Using Health IT to Support the Patient Centered MedicalHhome, Patient Centered Primary Care Collaborative (2009)
- The Impact of Federal Stimulus Funds on Community Health Centers in California, CHCF (2009)
- Health Information Technology Resources for Community Clinics, CCI (June 2009)
- An Unprecedented Opportunity: Using Federal Stimulus Funds to Advance Health IT in California, CHCF (2009)
- 2008 HIT Survey, NACHC (2008)
- State of California: Health Information Technology Financing Advisory Commission Report, CA Health and Human Services Agency (December 2008)
- EHR Adoption in the Safety-Net, CHCF (February 2009)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HIT & FEDERAL STIMULUS NEWSLETTERS
Click Here to view the newsletters
If you have any questions/comments about the content of the newsletter please direct your inquiry to Andie Martinez, Associate Director of Policy at amartinez@cpca.org.
CPCA STAFF CONTACT
If you have any questions, or need more information, please contact Andie Martinez, Associate Director of Policy at 916-440-8170 ext. 1075 or amartinez@cpca.org.
Copyright ©2005 California Primary Care Association. Contact information and legal disclaimers.
