Vendors seeking to test and certify an EHR may begin submitting applications February 12, 2010.  As you know, EHR systems must be certified and conform to the standards laid out by the proposed rules from CMS and the ONC.  Contact us now for more information on the EHR stimulus funding and how your practice can take advantage of this program and qualify for a free CCHIT certified EHR and you will get to keep the stimulus funding.

House and Senate Democratic leaders are confident that the restructuring of the healthcare sector will move forward despite the loss of the Democratic 60-vote majority in the Senate.  The loss is due to the unexpected victory by Scott Brown for the Massachusetts Senate seat left vacant by Ted Kennedy. 

On January 13, 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology published the official rules governing the definition of "meaningful use" of electronic records to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments.  These rules have been submitted to the Federal Register and can be accessed via the following link http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/fr-cont.html .

There are 25 - meaningful use objectives and related measures physicians must meet to be eligible for the maximum Medicare reimbursements allowed under the ARRA.  If you, your practice or organization plan on participating, there are steps you must take now, whether you have an EHR or you're shopping for one.

What will 2010 hold for healthcare? A permanent fix to Medicare Physician pay? Passage of Health Reform?  Modernization of Healthcare organizations through Healthcare Information Technology?

Join the discussion with other registered users in our Medbizonics "Forums."  We look forward to hearing from you.

Healthcare Business Consultants (HBC) professionals are available to discuss this on a one on one basis.

Late last Wednesday, nearly 700 pages of regulations were issued.  One set of regulations lists the "meaningful use" criteria for users of an EHR system.  The second set of regulations lays out the standards and certification criteria that any EHR system must meet for users to qualify for stimulus payments.  $14.1 billion - $27.3 billion is available under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  Go to our Document Library for specific infor

An interim final regulation (IFR) issued by ONC sets initial standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria for EHR technology.

Regulations defining "meaningful use" and certification standards for electronic health records (EHR) are expected from the federal government soon.  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Medicare and Medicaid incentives for physicians, hospitals and others to adopt EHRs begin in 2011.  Eligible "meaningful users" of an EHR can be reimbursed for up to $44,000 for adopting a "certified" system under the Medicare incentive program and up to $63,750 under the Medicaid program.  Penalties for those who are not meaningful EHR users will begi

2010 Policy changes to the Medicare program take effect January 1, 2010 with the exception of the Medicare conversion factor that has been frozen for 60 days.  Note the ALL Part B claims will be held until January 15, 2010.