A variety of funding assistance options now exist for doctors and hospitals that have decided to implement a new electronic medical record (EMR) software system. In fact, the federal government has allocated $34 billion in stimulus money (estimated to provide $44,000 per physician over five years) to encourage medical facilities to adopt EMRs, while some states have also introduced their own incentive programs. The goal is to eventually allow medical professionals in every state to be able to access and exchange important patient medical information on a national system, but the first step is to implement EMRs in all facilities.

States like Kentucky and Louisiana have already created statewide initiatives to encourage the adoption of EMRs in an attempt to ensure that the state’s doctors and hospitals receive their portion of the stimulus funding, which will be given to states that implement widespread adoption by 2014. In order to receive funding, state offices are required by the federal government to oversee the implementation of EMRs among organizations that are involved in sharing patient health data.

The term ‘meaningful use’ is perhaps one of the most important issues surrounding federal reimbursement for EMR adoption, so it is crucial for doctors and hospitals to determine whether or not the EMR software systems they are considering will meet the requirements set forth by the Health IT Policy Committee. As a rule of thumb, start by making sure the system is tested and certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), which is federally supported by the stimulus law.

Medicaid and Medicare are also providing incentives for EMR adoption in the form of bonuses between $44,000 and $63,750. In addition, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act calls for cuts in Medicaid reimbursements for doctors and hospitals that refuse to adopt an electronic medical record system. Many experts agree that these Medicaid penalties may do more to encourage EMR adoption by 2015 than many other incentives.

Regardless of the challenges that still surround the implementation of digital recordkeeping systems in medical facilities, EMRs are a necessary step to improve the quality of patient care. In addition, data will become available for study that has never been accessible before, which will allow doctors and other researchers to analyze patient information in new ways and, ultimately, will positively impact medical research and the entire future of medical care.

When it comes to Electronic medical records, a few things are certain – we can’t rely on patients or providers to remember everything, and paper files are cumbersome, fragile and inefficient. Electronic medical records (EMRs) provide a much-needed solution to these issues, and the federal government has earmarked $34 billion in stimulus money to help physicians make it happen.

How it Works?
Due to the stimulus money, healthcare providers could receive incentives to adopt digital recordkeeping systems over the next five years. After 2015, physicians who have not converted will be penalized, perhaps with reduced payment from Medicare, for example. In order to qualify and receive bonus payments, it is important to make sure your EMR software meets the federal requirements for “meaningful use,” which are expected to be completely defined by late spring of 2010, according to the Department of Health and Human Services.

Why it’s Important?
Medical records are not only a vital part of every patient’s care, they are also valuable assets for healthcare facilities that may be looking to obtain grants or gain additional market share. In addition, not only are electronic medical records safer, more efficient and more effective than paper files, but they could also be part of the solution to bringing down our nation’s soaring heath care costs. In fact, some experts estimate the healthcare system could save up to $30 billion each year, simply by reducing errors, allowing physicians to coordinate care for patients who are chronically ill and eliminating duplicate lab and imaging tests – all areas that are impacted by EMRs.

Regardless of any obstacles that may arise, or resistance from various parts of the medical community, the stimulus money, along with the many resulting organizational questions that have arisen, ensure that EMRs will be the wave of the future. Patients and insurance providers will, over time, find it increasingly difficult to work with offices that do not use electronic methods of recordkeeping, thereby also contributing to drive the shift in procedures.

By Kirsten E Silven,

Vidhu Panicker

Much buzz is swirling around about the government’s healthcare technology stimulus money. Nineteen billion to be more specific. What’s the money for? Well, it’s for you of course! At least if you’re a doctor and a Medicare or Medicaid provider. “The man” would like you to purchase an EMR (Electronic Medical Records)software. If you do you can receive up to $64,000.00 for doing so. Sound good? Yes it does. Don’t forget the number goes down the longer you wait and if you wait too long you may be the one giving the money to the government instead of getting it.

So what is the point in all of this? Is this just another waste of stimulus money? Quite the contrary actually. This idea of all physicians using EMR will benefit the A) Doctor B) patient as well as C) our health care system!

A)     The Doctor:  Imagine doc if you will, Patient X comes to you with a problem. You have never seen patient X before because he just moved here to Los Angeles from other side of the world, Georgia. So you truly know nothing about him other than what he tells you that is. Now you can rely on patient X and diagnose with caution or type in patient X to your nifty EMR and there he is! Patient X in all his glory. Previous complaints, diagnosis, x-rays ………. Everything since he was a wee lad in Georgia. You see Doctor in the long run, being connected aside from being incredibly organized can help you make better decisions! Which if I may add doesn’t just help you but also…………………………………

B)      The Patient: That’s right. If the Doctor is making better decisions you win! Faster diagnosis means your doctor will be able to notice patterns and treat accordingly. Also, why shouldn’t you, the patient have a right to a copy of your full medical history?! Now you will (Of course your doctor may charge small fee) be able to attain copies of your medical records as well. So I win. You win. What about……………

C)      Our Healthcare System: Good question! Well you may not realize that all the cures for various illnesses and diseases that we have now have all been achieved through extensive research. A lot of this research is funded by the government and who funds the government? You do! Can you imagine the positive effect this will have on research and studies? It’s incredible. We’ll be able to notice trends in different geographic areas. Why is everybody getting asthma in Smokey, Oklahoma? Or why are there so many people with bad skin in Acne, Missouri? While keeping it light, you see where I’m going. We can track illnesses by age group, weight, ethnicity geographic location etc. So this EMR, while beneficial the doctor and the patient also aids our healthcare system in their research which inevitably help us all.

Mandatory EMR?…………… Not a bad idea!

It can be said that even for the most ignorant to politics and current events over the last year we have learned a new word.  Some may have used the word before and most people know it exists. However, now more than ever this word has been thrown around like a Frisbee in a dog park. The word is……….. STIMULUS! Yes, stimulus. As in, economic stimulus, stimulus package, stimulus money etc. We have all heard something about the multibillion dollar stimulus package whose purpose is to provide relief to different parts of the economy and promote healthy solutions and opportunities to companies and individuals. Yes, you know what I’m talking about! Get money to go back to school……  Less taxes……. Cash for clunkers. We have all heard of it and some of you may have benefited from it. So why are we discussing all this on an EMR website???  So glad you asked!  Here it goes…

Our government has set aside 19 billion dollars of healthcare technology stimulus money. That is once again, 19 billion dollars. The purpose is to use healthcare technology, purchasing an EMR/EHR in particular to keep our healthcare records safer and better connected. Now if you’re reading this your immediate questions are…. How do I get some of this money and how much? When can I get some of this money? Where do I go to get some of this money? What do I need to do to get some of this money? And of course….. What’s the catch?

Well, these are all good questions. I would be skeptical as well but believe me this is happening and if you get on board with this early on you will benefit the most. According to the guidelines of this stimulus package a Doctor or hospital that is either a Medicare (part B) or Medicaid provider can qualify. To qualify under Medicare you must be filing Medicare claims. For Medicaid, your caseload must be at least 30% Medicaid (20% for pediatricians). You can qualify under either Medicare or Medicaid but not both. If you qualify under Medicare you can receive up to $44,000.00 and under Medicaid $64,000.00. These maximum payouts are spread over 5 years starting in 2011. Keep in mind that 70% of the money you receive will be paid over the first 2 years.

Now for you procrastinators out there, I advise you to get your act together. You see, they are very serious about the implementation of EMR/EHR. So much so, that if you do not implement it by 2015 you can begin receiving a penalty of 1% off your Medicare/Medicaid payments. This penalty may increase to 5% by 2017. So it is in your best interest to get with the program while the offer is on the table!

At this point you must be saying to yourself, “good to know” or “I better get moving”, all true. But now you have to exert some effort. You must choose an EMR vendor and have them set the software up and train you in. You also have to go after the stimulus money. It does sound a bit overwhelming with all the choices and time you’ll have to put in to make this happen. What if I would tell you there is a company out there that will handle the entire process for you and to top it off…….give you the software for FREE and allow you to put that stimulus money in your pocket?! You would probably say “Sign me up”. Well that is what the people at medicalsoftware.com are hoping you’ll say.

It’s true! Medicalsoftware.com gives you the software, trains you and gets you your stimulus money…… FOR FREE!  (www.medicalsoftware.com)

Written by: Issac Yenowitz of medical-billing.com