HHS Modifies Rules to Encourage IT Adoption

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is altering rules to encourage providers to adopt health information technology (IT) under Medicare electronic medical records (EMR) incentive programs. Under current requirements, eligible providers who began participating in the incentive programs in 2011 would have to meet new standards for the program in 2013. Providers who do not participate in the program until 2012 could wait to meet these new standards until 2014 and still be eligible for the same incentive payment. To encourage faster adoption, HHS will allow physicians and hospitals to adopt health IT this year, without meeting the new standards until 2014. Physicians who act quickly can also qualify for incentive payments in 2011 as well as 2012.
Read the CMS news release...

CMS has developed a tool to help guide physicians and other eligible professionals through all phases of the Medicare EMR incentive program. The resource includes chapters on program basics, eligibility, and registration, as well as a description of all Stage 1 meaningful use criteria.
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The AAOS online Practice Management Center has multiple resources for physicians making the move to EMR.
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