Chiropractors need to speak up. States are considering additional incentives for EHR adoption.
Funding was included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to advance the adoption of electronic health records (EHR). The HITECH portion of the ARRA specifies that up to $44,000 in stimulus funds will be available to individual Chiropractors that adopt an approved EHR system and demonstrate its meaningful use.
Likewise the State of Maryland is moving fast to take advantage of the provider incentives. On May 19, Maryland Governor, Martin O'Malley, signed House Bill 706, for electronic health record regulation and reimbursement. The legislation, described as a first in the nation, increases state reimbursements to health care providers to pay for costs for implementing and demonstrating meaningful use of a certified electronic health records.
Click here to view House Bill 706
The well-timed legislation aligns the state's efforts to create a health information exchange (HIE) with the federal goals of exchanging patient information electronically. Specifically the bill requires state-regulated payers to provide incentives to health care providers that adopt an EHR. Under the new law, Maryland must adopt regulations by September 2011, so they can be implemented by 2012. Two types of incentives being discussed are increased reimbursements and lump sum payments.
Similarly, other states are moving quickly to prepare to receive ARRA funds and define plans for future health information technology developments. Click on your state below to learn more:
It is not clear, at this moment, that Chiropractors will be included in this legislation. We urge you to contact your state's Chiropractic Association and let them know that because Chiropractors are included in the Federal legislation, they should also be included in your state's legislation as well.
Harold, Account Executive
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
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