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.

Registration for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is now open. Participate early to get the maximum incentive payments!

Attestation for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is now open. Visit the Attestation page for more information.

Check on the links below for up-to-date, detailed information about the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs.

Electronic Health Record (EHR) or Electronic Medical Record (EMR)?

Sometimes people use the terms "Electronic Medical Record" or "EMR" when talking about Electronic Health Record (EHR) technology. Very often an Electronic Medical Record or EMR is just another way to describe an Electronic Health Record or EHR, and both providers and vendors sometimes use the terms interchangeably. For the purposes of the Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Programs, eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must use ­certified EHR technology. Certified EHR technology gives assurance to purchasers and other users that an EHR system or module offers the necessary technological capability, functionality, and security to help them meet the meaningful use criteria. Certification also helps providers and patients be confident that the electronic health IT products and systems they use are secure, can maintain data confidentially, and can work with other systems to share information. For more information about which EHR systems and modules are certified for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, please visit http://healthit.hhs.gov/.


The Medicare EHR Incentive Program
  • The Medicare EHR Incentive Program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and CAHs that demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
    • Participation can begin as early as 2011.
    • 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.
    • Incentive payments for eligible hospitals and CAHs may begin as early as 2011 and are based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment.
    • Important! For 2015 and later, Medicare eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and CAHs that do not successfully demonstrate meaningful use will have a payment adjustment in their Medicare reimbursement.
  • Note: If you are a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO), please visit our Medicare Advantage page.

The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
  • The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and CAHs as they adopt, implement, upgrade, or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology in their first year of participation and demonstrate meaningful use for up to five remaining participation years.
    • The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is voluntarily offered by individual states and territories and may begin as early as 2011, depending on the state.
    • Eligible professionals can receive up to $63,750 over the six years that they choose to participate in the program.
    • Eligible hospital incentive payments may begin as early as 2011, depending on when the state begins its program. The last year a Medicaid eligible hospital may begin the program is 2016. Hospital payments are based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment.
    • There are no payment adjustments under the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.

Important Dates
  • October 1, 2010 – Reporting year begins for eligible hospitals and CAHs.
  • January 1, 2011 – Reporting year begins for eligible professionals.
  • January 3, 2011 – Registration for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program begins.
  • January 3, 2011 – For Medicaid providers, states may launch their programs if they so choose.
  • April 18, 2011 – Attestation for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program begins.
  • May 2011 – EHR Incentive Payments expected to begin.
  • July 3, 2011 – Last day for eligible hospitals to begin their 90-day reporting period to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.
  • September 30, 2011 – Last day of the federal fiscal year. Reporting year ends for eligible hospitals and CAHs.
  • October 3, 2011 – Last day for eligible professionals to begin their 90-day reporting period for calendar year 2011 for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.
  • November 30, 2011 – Last day for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals to register and attest to receive an Incentive Payment for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2011.
  • December 31, 2011 – Reporting year ends for eligible professionals.
  • February 29, 2012 – Last day for eligible professionals to register and attest to receive an Incentive Payment for calendar year (CY) 2011.

Downloads

EHR Incentive Program Timeline [PDF, 908KB]

Contact Information for EHR Incentive Program Inquiries [PDF, 110KB]


Related Links Inside CMS

Fact Sheet: Electronic Health Records At-a-Glance (July 13, 2010)

Fact Sheet: Medicare EHR Incentive Program Final Rule Overview (July 16, 2010)

Fact Sheet: Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Final Rule Overview (July 16, 2010)

Fact Sheet: Meaningful Use Final Rule Overview (July 16, 2010)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Related Links Outside CMS

Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Final Rule

     Video on EHR Incentive Program Basics


Page Last Modified: 05/17/2011 9:39:32 AM

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