Medicare Payment Incentives for Eligible Professionals
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| Web site |
Link to program web site |
| Type |
Incentive |
| Sponsor |
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |
| Deadline |
Applications accepted on an ongoing basis
|
| Tagged keywords |
Medicare and Medicaid, National, Physicians, Shortage Designations, Technology |
| Description |
The Recovery Act establishes financial incentives beginning in January 2011 for eligible professionals (EPs) who are meaningful EHR users. |
| Amount |
The incentive payment is equal to 75 percent of Medicare allowable charges for covered services furnished by the EP in a year, subject to a maximum payment in the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth years of $15,000; $12,000; $8,000; $4000; and $2,000, respectively. |
| Geographic Coverage |
Nationwide |
| Eligibility |
The qualification criteria for incentives (i.e., meeting specified HIT standards, policies, implementation specifications, timeframes, and certification requirements) are still in development, and will be defined through regulation and additional guidance materials. However, CMS generally expects that under Medicare, “meaningful EHR users” would demonstrate each of the following: meaningful use of a certified EHR, the electronic exchange of health information to improve the quality of health care, and reporting on clinical quality and other measures using certified EHR technology. Medicaid programs will determine their own requirements in line with the Medicaid-related provisions of the Recovery Act. Funds will be distributed through Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments to EPs and hospitals who are “meaningful EHR users.” CMS intends to publish a proposed rule in late 2009 to propose a definition of meaningful use of certified Electronic Health Records (EHR) technology and establish criteria for the incentives programs. CMS is working extensively with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to identify the proposed criteria. |
| Contacts |
CMS Office of Public Affairs
Phone: 202.690.6145
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Last updated July 27, 2010
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