HITECH ACT INCENTIVES FOR ADOPTING & MAKING A MEANINGFUL USE OF ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS
Federal Regulations & Webpages
- CMS EHR Incentive Programs – Regulations and Guidance
- 2017 CMS OPPS Final Rule – Modifying Meaningful Use Reporting Periods for CY2016 and CY2017 MU Programs
- 2015 CMS Final Rule – Meaningful Use Stage 3 & Modifications to MU in 2015 through 2017
- 2012 CMS Final Rule – Meaningful Use Stage 2
- 2010 CMS Final Rule – Meaningful Use Stage 1
- HHS ONC Meaningful Use Security Risk Assessment
- HHS ONC Standards & Certification Regulations
- HHS HealthIT.gov
State Regulations (KY & TN) & Webpages
Additional Health Information Technology Resources
RECs and HIEs
RECs. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (“HITECH”) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“ARRA”) amends Title XXX of the Public Health Service Act by adding Section 3012, Health Information Technology Implementation Assistance. This section provides supportive services for the rest of the HITECH Act. Section 3012 (a) establishes the Health Information Technology Extension Program (Extension Program). The Extension Program provided grants for the establishment of Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers (RECs) to support health care providers in becoming meaningful users of Electronic Health Records (EHRs).
The RECs provide the following types of support to health care providers:
- Selecting a certified EHR product that offers best value for the providers’ needs;
- Achieving effective implementation of a certified EHR product;
- Enhancing clinical and administrative workflows to optimally leverage an EHR system’s potential to improve quality and value of care, including patient experience as well as outcome of care; and,
- Observing and complying with applicable legal, regulatory, professional and ethical requirements to protect the integrity, privacy and security of patients’ health information.
For more information, go to the HealthIT.gov REC webpage, where links to additional information is available.
HIEs. In addition, the HITECH Act provided grants to Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). The HIE is a “portable health records initiative” that electronically links doctors, hospitals, clinics, insurance firms and others. The goal is to make a patient’s critical health information available wherever, and whenever, it’s needed in order to improve the American healthcare delivery system. Under the HITECH Act, each state is responsible for developing its own statewide HIE strategic plan. For additional information about state HIEs, go to the HealthIT.gov State HIE webpage, where links to additional information is available.
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