Thursday, March 29, 2012

EHR Incentive Programs: Program Highlights to Date


Latest Success Data on Provider Participation in the EHR Incentive Programs


CMS has released February 2012 data that highlights program-to-date (since January 2011) participation and payment totals under  the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. The February report documents continued growth in  registrations and payments, including:


  • Over 211,500 eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) have registered for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs since January 2011

    • Over 20,000 registered for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs in the month of February



  • Over 62,000 EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAHs have been paid for successfully participating in the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs

  • Over $3.8 billion has been paid in Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program payments to EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAHs across the country

    • Over $738 million was paid in the month of February




Visit the Data and Reports page on the EHR website to review more of more data on continued acceleration in  registration and payment data.


Helpful Resources 

CMS has created several resources to help participants navigate the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. A few key resources include:


  • An Introduction to the Medicare EHR Incentive Program for Eligible Professionals- This interactive guide helps EPs navigate every aspect of the Medicare program and provides helpful resources and tips along the way. A Medicaid guide will be available later this spring. 

  • Updated User Guides- CMS has updated the registration and attestation user guides, which walk EPs and eligible hospitals through CMS' registration and attestation system. There are five guides in total and all of them can be downloaded from the Educational Materials page of the EHR website. 

  • Provider Testimonial Videos- These videos, which can be found on the CMS YouTube channel, highlight providers' experiences participating in the EHR Incentive Programs.


If you are considering registering for the programs, but have not done so yet, take a look at the CMS EHR website and use our eligibility tool to find out if you can participate. 


Remember: 2012 is the last year in which EPs can receive a full incentive payment in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. Beginning in 2013, EPs will receive a smaller overall total payment. Remember to register early.


Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?

Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Monday, March 26, 2012

Register for CMS National Provider Call on the EHR Incentive Programs


Join CMS on Thursday, March 29, for a National Provider Call on the EHR Incentive Programs


CMS is holding a National Provider Call on Thursday, March 29, from 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET for eligible professionals (EPs) to discuss program basics for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. The call will help EPs learn if they are eligible for the programs. 


As of February 29, 2012, more than $3.8 billion in Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments have been made; and more than 211,000 EPs, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals are actively registered. Remember, this is the last year that EPs can participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program and still receive the maximum incentive payment. 


The call will focus on EP participation in the EHR Incentive Programs. More information on eligibility requirements can be found on the Eligibility page of the CMS EHR website. 


The call will cover general program topics, including:


  • Are you eligible?

  • How much are the incentives and how are they calculated?

  • How do you get started?

  • What are major milestones regarding participation and payment?

  • How do you report on meaningful use?

  • Where can you find helpful resources?

  • A question and answer session


Registration Information: 

In order to receive call-in information, you must register for the call. Registration will close at 12pm on the day of the call or when available space has been filled; no exceptions will be made, so please register early. 


The presentation for this call will be posted at least one day beforehand. In addition, the presentation will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the call.


Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs? 

Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Friday, March 23, 2012

The Next Steps: An Overview of Meaningful Use Stage 2


Important Upcoming Dates for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program and Information on the Payment Threshold for EPs



On Monday, March 26, 2012 at 1 p.m. EDT, National eHealth Collaborative's NeHC University will be joined by Robert Anthony from CMS's Office of E-Health Standards and Services to give an overview of the proposed rule for meaningful use Stage 2. Robert will also detail the qualifications necessary to be a Stage 2 meaningful user of electronic health records and the implications of the requirements for data sharing and patient engagement.

 

We invite you to register and join NeHC University's Briefing on Stage 2 meaningful use. There is no charge for this webinar.




Questions? Email NeHC University at university@nationalehealth.org.


Thursday, March 22, 2012

Register Now for the EHR Incentive Programs



Ensure Your Success in the EHR Incentive Programs by Registering Early



CMS recommends that all eligible professionals (EPs) register as early as possible for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. 




Registering does not mean you are required to participate. By registering early, however, you can make sure your information is completely up to date in all of the CMS systems and resolve any issues which might otherwise prevent you from participating in the EHR Incentive Programs. If you do not resolve registration problems, you will not be able to attest and could potentially miss out on a payment year. 




Give yourself plenty of time and register today. For more information on registration in the EHR Incentive Programs, visit the Registration page of the EHR website. 




Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?

Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.


Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Register for a Joint CMS and PAHCOM Webinar on the EHR Incentive Programs



Join CMS for a Webinar Providing an Introduction and Overview of the EHR Incentive Programs on March 22


The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) are holding a free and open webinar on the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs on March 22, 2012, from 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET. 


Description:
The webinar, EHR Incentive Programs - Introduction, Overview and Structure, will provide an overview of how the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are structured and administered, and will provide key insights for providers regarding their participation and navigation of the programs.
 


To Register:
Interested individuals can register online.
 


Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

 

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Take a Look at CMS’ New Testimonial Videos from the 2011 AOA Conference




Take a Look at CMS’ New Testimonial Videos from the 2011 AOA Conference 


The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted a series of new videos about the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs to the CMS YouTube channel. 


At the 2011 American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Conference, CMS filmed seven conference attendees, who provided their stories about EHRs and the EHR Incentive Programs. In the series, the testimonial videos discuss topics such as benefits of EHRs and navigating the Incentive Programs.

 

The videos are:


Make sure to take a look at CMS' additional EHR videos that are located on the CMS YouTube channel. They include: additional provider testimonials and EHR incentive payment highlights. 


Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.