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CMS  issued a notice that outlines provisions governing the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs, including a proposed definition for the central concept of "Meaningful Use".

Zanett, Inc. a leading consulting firm specializing in serving Fortune 500 corporations and mid-market organizations in Health care, Life Sciences, Manufacturing & Distribution, Retail, Gaming & Hospitality, and State & Local Government, came out in full support of the recently announced definition of "Meaningful Use" and the standards set for the use of certified Electronic Health Records (EHR).  The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ( CMS ) and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for healthcare IT issued a foundation for improving quality, efficiency and safety through meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology.  The regulations will help implement the Electronic Health Records (EHR) incentive programs enacted under the 2009 Recovery Act.

The ARRA authorizes CMS to provide a reimbursement incentive for physician and hospital providers who are successful in becoming "Meaningful Users" of an electronic health record (EHR).  These incentive payments begin in 2011 and gradually phase down.  Starting in 2015, providers are expected to have adopted and be actively utilizing an EHR in compliance with the "Meaningful Use" definition or they will be subject to financial penalties under Medicare.


"Widespread adoption of Electronic Health Records (EHR) holds great promise for improving health care quality, efficiency, and patient safety," said National Coordinator for Health Information Technology David Blumenthal, M.D., M.P.P.  "The Recovery Act's financial incentives demonstrate Congress' and the Administration's commitment to help providers adopt and make "Meaningful Use" of electronic health record technology so they can give better care and their patients' experience of care will improve.  Over time, we believe the electronic health record incentive program under Medicare and Medicaid will accelerate and facilitate health information technology adoption by more individual providers and organizations throughout the health care system."


As a result of increased effective use of healthcare IT, considerable improvements will be realized in the prevention and management of chronic diseases including diabetes and heart disease, preventing hundreds of thousands of unnecessary amputations and premature deaths. Medication errors will be averted. Patients will be able to promptly access their own health information, and their end of life preferences will be heard. The nation will be better prepared for the next pandemic. Health care disparities will be systematically identified and addressed. This transformed health care delivery system will also enable and amplify the effectiveness of a host of new reimbursement models that will reward more organized, more coordinated, and more efficient care.

Source:Zanett, Inc.

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