More on EHR government funding
How EHR Stimulus Funds Are DistributedLast week's blog was a brief primer on what you should know about electronic health records including some information about how the government is beginning the process of defining meaningful use of EHR application that is essential to qualify for stimulus funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, ARRA, of 2009. Here is a schedule of how the stimulus funds will be made available to physicians that meet the government's criteria based on what year you implement EHR meeting the criteria.1st year funds and funds each consecutive year that follow2011: $18,000, $12,000, $8,000, $4,000, $2000 = Total: $44,0002012: $18,000, $12,000, $8,000, $4,000, $2,000 = Total: $44,0002013: $15,000, $12,000, $8,000, $4,000 - Total: $39,0002014: $12,000 $8,000, $4,000 = Total: $24,0002015: Total = $0Source: US Department of Health and Human ResourcesThis provides a snapshot revealing that implementing EHR before 2013 provides the greatest amount of stimulus funds. It's not too early to start researching implementing EHR into your practice, but keep a watchful eye on how the proposed legislation published in the Federal Register on January 13, 2010 is revised before it is finalized to make sure your EHR decision is in sync with government minimum standard requirements.The devil is in the detail! Judy Capko is one of America's leading practice management and marketing consultants. e mail judy@capko.com. zz
