For all of you who have been doing your homework in regards to purchasing an EHR program, we have some concrete news — finally! Until now, the path to see if you can qualify for President Obama’s stimulus incentives has been pretty murky and no one was exactly clear on the definition of “meaningful use” of EHR technology that qualifies you to receive federal funding.

While many EHR companies have stepped up their advertising trying to entice you to get on board with their company pronto, the reality of the situation is that they did not know if their product actually would meet the criteria to get you some of Uncle Sam’s money. This was mainly due to the fact that no one knew the criteria!  Unfortunately that didn’t stop many EHR companies from attempting to lure you towards their product, but that’s another story for another day.

The BIG NEWS is this:  The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has finally released its preliminary definition of “meaningful use” June 16, 2009.

Here it is in a nutshell.

Beginning in 2011, Medicare physicians who implement and report meaningful use of electronic health records will be eligible for an initial incentive payment of up to $18,000, and early adopters could receive a five-year bonus of up to $44,000.

The definition for achieving meaningful use of health data includes three parts:

1. Data capture and sharing by 2011.
2. Advanced clinical processes by 2013.
3. Improved outcomes by 2015.

You can also go to the ONC website to read the definition in its full glory.

But…

Before you get too excited or we spend hours discussing the ramifications of “meaningful use” in the chiropractic setting, there’s a chance for bad news as well.

Oh come on, you didn’t expect that?  This is the government we’re dealing with!

Here’s the bad news: there is still a chance to submit opinions on the preliminary definition for meaningful use until 6/26/09 so… the definition may change.

Although the definition may be still a bit in the dark, one thing will probably emerge clear:  we will see a new wave of advertisements from EHR companies pretty soon. And don’t be surprised if the ads feature buzzwords like “data capture,”  “advanced clinical processes” and “improved outcomes” in them.  While that may propel some of your colleagues to feel a sense of urgency to purchase a system to capture stimulus dollars – YOU my friends, will know the difference: no one truly knows if their system will qualify for federal $$$.

So, if you’re purchasing an EHR because it’s the best thing to do for your practice (and it very well may be!), go right ahead.  Just don’t buy one because some salesman is telling you that you will definitely get a nice fat check back from the feds.  The salesman will certainly get a check based on your purchase; you, on the other hand…well…let’s wait and see.

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