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Begins January 31st 2011
By Garfunkel Wild, P.C
Registration for the Medicare EHR incentive program began on January 3, 2011. Eligible hospitals and professionals (collectively referred to as “Eligible Providers”) interested in receiving EHR incentive payments must register.
The HITECT Act
As a reminder, under the HITECH Act, Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments will be available to eligible professionals and hospitals when they adopt certified EHR technology and successfully demonstrate “meaningful use” of the technology.
Hospitals that are eligible for both the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs can receive payments from both Medicare and Medicaid; however, individual professionals cannot participate in both programs. Eligible Providers seeking to participate in the Medicaid programs must initiate registration at CMS’ registration site but must complete the process through an eligibility verification site maintained by their state Medicaid agency. At this time New York has not yet started the registration process.
The CMS Schedule
CMS announced the following key dates for the Medicare incentive programs’ first year:
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January 3, 2011: | Registration for the Medicare EHR incentive program begins. |
April 2011: | Attestation for the Medicare EHR incentive program begins. |
May 2011: | Issuing of Medicare 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 for federal FY 2011. |
September 30, 2011: | Federal FY 2011 payment year ends at midnight for eligible hospitals and CAHs. |
October 3, 2011: | Last day for eligible professionals to begin their 90-day reporting period for calendar year 2011 to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EHR incentive program. |
November 30, 2011: | Last day for eligible hospitals and CAHs to register and attest to receive an incentive payment for federal fiscal year 2011. |
December 31, 2011: | Calendar 2011 payment year ends for eligible professionals. |
Assessment
Interested providers may familiarize themselves with the incentive programs’ requirements by visiting CMS’ Official Web Site for more on the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive program. The site provides general and detailed information on the programs, including tabs on the path to payment, eligibility, meaningful use, certified EHR technology, and frequently asked questions.
Conclusion
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Filed under: Alerts Sign-Up, Breaking News, Information Technology, Practice Management | Tagged: CMS, EHR incentive program, EHRs, EMRs, meaningful use | 4 Comments »