Stimulus Package and EHR implementation

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Permalink Reply by Raj B on August 5, 2009 at 5:09pm

Hi Ajith,
I saw that no one has given you info on this. Here is what we have understood, since we are memebr of the CCHIT special task force. We joined it to improve our EHR product that we are alomst giving away free of cost to physicians. We are also workign with CMS to develop a solution for them that will be webhosted and physicans will log into it upload thier data to this secured CMS portal. CMS will be able to meet the HITECH and ARRA regualtions this way, while will also pay the physicians. IN working with CMS we learnt how to show any physician to make meaningful use of their EHR sotred data and such systems. We are ready with it for implementing.

There are two portions of the HITECH Act – one providing $2 billion immediately to the Department of Health &
Human Services (HHS) and its sub-agency, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), and
directs creation of standards and policy committees; a second that allocates $36 billion that will be paid to
healthcare providers who demonstrate use of Electronic Health Records. The net cost to the Federal
government is anticipated to be $19.5 billion after savings are achieved through efficiencies, tax revenue and
Medicare fee reductions for non-adopters.
$36 Billion in Incentive Payments to Physicians and Hospitals
The government is focused on two primary goals in this legislation: moving physicians who have been slow to
adopt Electronic Health Records to a computerized environment, and ensuring that patient data no longer sits in
silos within individual provider organizations but instead is actively and securely exchanged between healthcare
professionals. Therefore, the vast majority of the funds within the HITECH Act are assigned to payments that
will reward physicians and hospitals for effectively using a robust, connected EHR system. There is a program
designed for those that see large volumes of Medicaid patients, and another for those that accept Medicare,
and in order to qualify for the incentive payments, both physicians and hospitals have to demonstrate three
things:
1. Use of a certified EHR product with ePrescribing capability that meets current HHS standards.
2. Connectivity to other providers to improve access to the full view of a patient’s health history
3. Ability to report on their use of the technology to HHS
Additionally, because the government wants to spur quick movement in this area, all of the incentives include
payments for up to five years but provide the largest payments early in the program, and those that don’t
demonstrate meaningful use of an EHR under the Medicare component of the program will eventually be
penalized through lower payments. The incentive payments begin in 2011 to ensure the providers have time to
adopt and learn to use the EHR; penalties begin in 2015.

As stated, there are two incentive programs for physicians: Medicare and Medicaid. Physicians will
choose program participation.
Copyright © 2009 AllscriptsMisys Healthcare, Inc. (Updated: May 19, 2009) 2
Medicaid: Physicians who see more than 30% of patients paying with Medicaid (20% for pediatricians)
are eligible for payments of up to $64,000 over five years. The incentives will be calculated through a
formula that multiplies 85% by amounts ranging from $35,000 in the first year to $10,000 in subsequent
years.
Medicare: Physicians who do not have a large Medicaid volume but do accept Medicare can receive
up to $44,000 over the five years. Additionally, physicians operating in a "health provider shortage
area" will be eligible for an incremental increase of 10%, and those delivering care entirely in a hospital
environment, such as anesthesiologists, pathologists and ED physicians, are ineligible.
Amount They’ll Receive Each Year
Year they first file 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 TOTAL
2011 $18,000 $12,000 $8,000 $4,000 $2,000 $0 $44,000
2012 $0 $18,000 $12,000 $8,000 $4,000 $2,000 $44,000
2013 $0 $0 $15,000 $12,000 $8,000 $4,000 $39,000
2014 $0 $0 $0 $15,000 $12,000 $8,000 $35,000
2015 or Later $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Fee reductions: Providers who do not demonstrate meaningful use in 2014 will see, in their 2015 fee
schedules from Medicare, a decrease of 1%. An additional decrease will be affected in 2016 and 2017
down to a total of 97% of the regular fee schedule; it can further be reduced to 95% if the Secretary
determines that total adoption is below 75% in 2018.
Additional Incentives for Physicians Currently Available
Even before the incentive payments or grants become available to qualifying healthcare organizations
through the HITECH Act, there are already programs in place that will reward physicians who adopt
technology now. By maximizing the ePrescribing incentives currently available through the Medicare
Improvements for Patients and Providers Acts of 2008 and PQRI incentives, a qualified provider can
earn between $6,000 and $8,000 prior to beginning participation in the Stimulus incentives programs.

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Permalink Reply by Marc Luedke on October 8, 2009 at 3:35pm

Aj: I would be happy to schedule some time with you, either in person, online, or on the phone. I represent the "MyWay E-Plus" software package, serviced by Allscripts and e-Transmedia, and can help you verify your compiance with the HITECH standards. Whatever package you end up with, I would be happy to help you understand the basics of compliance, and get you started in your search. You can reach me at MarcL@AdvanTechHealth.com .

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Permalink Reply by Josh Rice on December 3, 2009 at 11:36am

AJ, My company provides services to smaller practices such as yours. We are EHR Conversion Consultants and can provide you with information on the stimulus package. We are non-biased and do not represent any particular vendor. Please feel free to give us a call at 928-227-1144 or my direct line at 928-277-0880. Our website is www.apexhealthsystems.com

You may also e-mail me at josh.rice@apexhealthsystems.com

Thanks,

Josh Rice
CEO
Apex Health Systems, LLC

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Permalink Reply by vishal swamy on June 17, 2010 at 12:15pm

There are lot of great resources on this topic of ARRA or getting Federal incentives through proper implementation of EHR's or putting EHR's to meaningful use

Also I found a great link on genral guidelines that need to be followed in EHR implementation.

I think ROI is very important factor that should be duly considered when look achieve a 'meaning use' out of a EHR solution. Though one may get vendors providing 'meaning use' at a lower cost, their ROI / savings through the use of their EHR might be pretty low when compared to costlier initial investment. Found a pretty useful ROI tool that is pretty customizable and easy to use. It also accounts for the different specialty EHR's too.

Do post replies, if and when you need more information

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Permalink Reply by Jeff Kan on June 18, 2010 at 4:49pm

CMS also launched today their official website for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. It's a lot of text, but it's the definitive source for information about the incentive programs. You can see it at the URL below:

http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/

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