Overview of EHR Incentive Programs

EHR is the new age tool for the healthcare industry. Its transforming the healthcare industry by delivering unmatched advantages to physicians, hospitals as well as patients. EHR is collective in nature - it is a collection of patient medical records across different physician clinics and hospitals. EHR as compared to EMR provides doctors with better scope of diagnos and patient health management. However, implementation of EHR involves cost and hence the US government has announced EHR incentive programs. The Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) as they adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. 

The Medicare EHR Incentive Program will provide eligible professionals can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. There's an additional incentive for eligible professionals who provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HSPA). The Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program will provide eligible professionals can receive up to $63,750 over the six years that they choose to participate in the program.