EMR Incentive Program: It’s the Real Deal

Posted by Karley on 7 October 2011

When the government is advertising free money, it’s hard to say no. But when the incentive amounts for implementing an EMR system and/or attesting to meaningful use add up to a maximum of 44,000 for Medicare or $63,750 for Medicaid, one can’t help but wonder if it is all a scam. The requirements for obtaining the incentive money are not overly difficult, which is why many providers are struggling to believe that the government will follow through on their promised monetary reward.

As it turns out, the proof you are looking for can be found in a recent article published in iHealthbeat. According to data from CMS, Modern Healthcare reports that the federal government has distributed more than $653 million to health care providers participating in the meaningful use incentive program. Of that $653 million, $93.9 million in Medicaid incentives have been paid to 4,463 physicians, psychiatrist and other eligible health care professionals and $38.3 million in Medicare incentives have been paid to 2,129 physicians and eligible health care professionals (Conn, Modern Healthcare, 9/22).

And if you have had your doubts that anyone would ever actually see any money from the state and federal EHR incentive programs, doubt no further; Here is the evidence confirming that implementation of a certified EMR system, as well as demonstration of meaningful use can result in free money.

To read more about the recent distribution of incentive payments, visit iHealthBeat.

Or visit the CMS website directly to find out more or to  register for the MU incentive.