Health care providers that demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHRs can qualify for the first round of incentive payments starting in 2011. At this point, however, guidance or final ruling on the process for EHR certification has not be released. (Modern Healthcare 1/22)
As a result, health care providers looking to get an early start in HIT transformation must perform and in-depth personal evaluation of the available EHR applications alternatives. This must include the company’s experience and financial stability, awareness of market changes and regulations, capability to perform needed changes in the systems in a timely fashion, and whether it can provide the necessary support for healthcare providers to adapt properly and become meaningful users, among others.
Although this will not guarantee healthcare providers that any new systems they purchase will qualify for the incentive program, it will initiate on-time practice workflow transformation, better prepare providers for the eventual ruling, facilitate health information exchanges, and will result immediately in better patient management and care.