Meaningful Use

Currently, the government is providing financial incentives to practices that achieve Meaningful Use by 2015. A properly planned and well executed EHR implementation will allow you to capitalize on these incentives. The current programs won’t last forever. The sooner your practice makes the move to EHR, the more assistance you’re likely to receive. Our advisors are experts on these programs, and we will work to maximize the benefits you receive.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs

The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) as they adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate Meaningful Use of certified EHR technology.

Do I Qualify?

In order to qualify for incentive payments, you must be an eligible professional.  For providers, these include non-hospital-based physicians who receive reimbursement through Medicare FFS program or a contractual relationship with a qualifying MA organization. There is a difference between Medicare and Medicaid when it comes to defining an eligible professional for EHR incentive payment purposes. Medicare defines an eligible professional as:

1. doctor of medicine or doctor of osteopathy
2. doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine
3. doctor of podiatric medicine
4. doctor of optometry
5. chiropractor

Medicaid, on on the other hand, defines an eligible professional as:

1. physician
2. dentist
3. certified nurse-midwife
4. nurse practitioner
5. physician assistant practicing in a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) or a Rural Health Clinic, led by a physician assistant.

The Medicare EHR Incentive Program

The Medicare EHR incentive program began on January 1, 2011.  In April of 2011 the very first providers completed their 90 day period of Meaningful Use and submitted their attestation.  On May 25, 2011 the very first payments of $18,000 per provider were sent to those who had completed attestation.  Below are some important details regarding the Medicare program.

• Eligible professionals can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. There’s an additional incentive for eligible professionals who provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HSPA).
• To get the maximum incentive payment, Medicare eligible professionals must begin participation by 2012 and complete 90 days of Meaningful Use in 2012.
• For 2015 and later, Medicare eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and CAHs that do not successfully demonstrate meaningful use will have a payment adjustment (penalty) in their Medicare reimbursement.

The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program

The Medicaid EHR incentive program is voluntarily offered by individual states and territories and may begin as early as 2011, depending on the state.  Currently, over 83 million dollars have been awarded to providers who met the Medicaid EHR guidlines.  New York has planned to begin their Medicaid EHR incentive program in 2012. Below are some important details regarding the Medicaid program.

• Eligible professionals can receive up to $63,750 over the six years that they choose to participate in the program.
• Eligible professionals must have 30% or more of their patient volume comprised of Medicaid patients. (20% for pediatricians, however the incentive is reduced)
• During the first year you do not need to meet Meaningful Use, you only need to implement a certified EHR.
• You can begin participation as late as 2016 and still recieve six years of payments.
• There are no payment adjustments (penalties) under the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.

Registering and Attestation

Registration for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is now open on the CMS website. Register now to ensure you are eligible.

Attestation for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is now open for those who have registered and completed 90 days of Meaningful Use. Visit the attestation page on the CMS website for more information.