A 21st Century Vision - EHR and the Lives of Your Patients, Your Providers, and Your Communities
Ever wonder where "Meaningful Use" was born? In his keynote address at our March "Boot Camp," Dr. Farzad Mostashari, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, shared the vision of MU with the audience in a conversational, engaging session that attendees rated as one of the most inspiring of the two-day conference. This recording will allow you to learn from him and hear the audience Q&A that followed at your own pace. Note: Password required for access - if you do not have a password, please email the AHIT team. Supplemental materials, including Dr. Mostashari's full bio, are available here.
For Members Only: Meaningful Use "Quickinar" Resources
May 3, 2011: Navigating Meaningful Use - Part 1: Core Objectives
May 11, 2011: Navigating Meaningful Use - Part 2: Clinical Quality Measures
June 7, 2011: Navigating Meaningful Use - Part 3: the CMS EHR Adoption Incentive Program
Look for additional training opportunities by visiting our EVENTS page.
Meaningful Use: Final Guidance Released July 13, 2010
"For years, health policy leaders on both sides of the aisle have urged adoption of electronic health records throughout our health care system to improve quality of care and ultimately lower costs," Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said. "Today, with the leadership of the President and the Congress, we are making that goal a reality."
Established under the HITECH Act Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, eligible health care professionals and hospitals can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt certified EHR technology and use it to achieve specified objectives. One of the two regulations announced today defines the "Meaningful Use" objectives that providers must meet to qualify for the bonus payments, and the other regulation identifies the technical capabilities required for certified EHR technology.
With "Meaningful Use" definitions in place, AHIT will be working with primary care providers and their practices to ensure that the EHR system they acquire will support achievement of "meaningful use" objectives. With today's announcement, a concentrated five-year national initiative to adopt and use electronic records in health care can begin.
The Recovery Act authorizes CMS to provide reimbursement incentives for eligible professionals to become "meaningful users" of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. The incentives range as high as $44,000 to $64,000 per provider over a five-year period, and will help to offset acquisition, implementation, and training expenses your practice will incur.
Demonstrating meaningful use will include attestation of implementation of a certified system, as well as specific reporting on health outcomes. Each state will determine how meaningful use will be confirmed and may require additional reporting. Florida Medicaid has indicated that Regional Extension Centers will be a key component of their strategy to reach providers throughout the state.
CHCA wishes to acknowledge support from the Office of the National Coordinator, Department of Health and Human Services, Award #90RC0051/01.