| The Recovery Act of 2009 provides major opportunities for the improvement of our nation’s health care through health information technology (also known as Health IT or HIT.)Click HERE to visit the Newsroom at HealthIT.gov
There are three main areas pertaining to Health IT in the Recovery Act that involve CMS:
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Health IT Incentives and Support for Adoption
The Medicare and Medicaid Health IT provisions in the Recovery Act provide incentives and support for the adoption of certified electronic health records (EHRs). The Recovery Act authorizes bonus payments for eligible professionals and hospitals participating in Medicare or Medicaid if they become meaningful users of certified EHRs. These bonus payments will help lessen the financial burden for many healthcare providers to adopt this technology.
The incentive bonuses will begin in 2011. Beginning in 2015, the Recovery Act mandates penalties under Medicare for eligible professionals and hospitals that fail to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHRs. CMS is overseeing and administering the incentive program and is coordinating with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC).
Establishment of Health IT Standards and Infrastructure
ONC is leading the effort to establish an initial set of Health IT and EHR standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria. These items will explain how to meet the incentive requirements of “certified EHR” and “meaningful use.” CMS is contributing to this effort.
Privacy & Security Pertaining to Health IT
Patient privacy and security is an important part of Health IT. The HHS Office of Civil Rights, with assistance from CMS and ONC are working to implement the Recovery Act provisions.
More information on all the above topics is available HERE on the CMS website.
Click HERE for the CMS Fact Sheet regarding Healthcare Information Technology (dated 04-23-2013).
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