Meaningful Use Facts
Deciphering Meaningful Use for Your Clinic
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act created funding for CMS' EHR Incentive program. Through this program, clinics who implement certified EMR software (and demonstrate "meaningful use" of that software and its functionality) are eligible for reimbursements through Medicare or Medicaid.
We have collected a set of resources for you to help understand what the HITECH Act means for your clinic, as well as links to the HITECH Act site.
Where do I start?
We're glad you asked.
The first step is to identify and implement a certified product.
In order to receive reimbursement in 2011, you must use that certified product for at least 90 consecutive days while "demonstrating meaningful use." In order to demonstrate meaningful use, a provider must use certain components of functionality (such as e-prescribing) while meeting various objectives and quality measures. (For a more thorough explanation of these details, please view the CMS overview of meaningful use here.) Beginning in 2012, providers will demonstrate meaningful use for the entire year.
Reimbursement for the EHR Incentive program is dependent on which reimbursement program is followed: the Medicare program or the Medicaid program. Participants are not eligible to participate in both programs simultaneously. (Some differences between the two are explained below.)
How do I know if I qualify?
The criteria for qualifying for the program differs slightly between the Medicare and Medicaid programs:
Medicare program
Providers eligible for the Medicare reimbursement program are only MDs and DOs.
If a provider practices in multiple locations, he must see at least 50% of his patients in the ambulatory/outpatient setting to receive any EHR Incentive reimbursement payments for that location.
Medicaid program
Providers eligible for the Medicaid reimbursement program may be MDs, DOs, dentists, certified nurse midwives, NPs, and PAs (where the PA practices in a federally qualified health center [FQHC] or rural health clinic).
Additionally, participants in the Medicaid program must see at least 30% Medicaid patients (by patient volume, not reimbursement).
How much money is available?
The two programs differ slightly with regard to the amount of money available.
Through the Medicare program, up to $44,000 is available over 5 years. However, the longer a participant waits to join the incentive program, the maximum available incentive decreases. A participant must start in 2012 in order to receive the maximum reimbursement.
Through the Medicaid program, up to $63,750 is available over 6 years, including up to $21,250 for adoption and implementation of the certified system. However, the longer a participant waits to join the incentive program, the maximum available incentive decreases. A participant must start by 2016 in order to receive the maximum reimbursement.
Helpful Meaningful Use Links
Electronic Medical Records and Meaningful Use (from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology)
To learn more about how meaningful use can benefit your clinic, give us a call at (877) 697-4696, or schedule a demo today.