Meaningful Use

How you can Qualify for your Incentive Meaningful Use Payment:

The stimulus package passed for the year 2009 pumps $19 billion into the medical industry to help implement technology that makes healthcare safer and more connected. Those who prove meaningful use of Electronic Health Records can receive an incentive reimbursement of up to $64,000 over six years. Hospitals can qualify for $2-8 million in funding. Remember, 70% of the incentive comes within the first two years. This means that in order to receive the maximum reimbursement, you must start early.

How meaningful use works:

There are two ways you can qualify for the incentive. Qualified providers can qualify under either incentive, but not both. You can qualify either under Medicare or Medicaid. Physicians qualifying under the Medicare portion can receive up to $44,000 and those qualifying under the Medicaid incentive can qualify for up to $64,000. You can receive your incentive payments starting in January of 2011. Physicians who do not implement EHR technology by 2015 will suffer from a 1% reduction in Medicare Payments (reductions will continue to increase after 2015 up to 5%).

Qualifying Under the Medicare Provision

Physicians qualifying under the Medicare provision are eligible for up to $44,000. The total amount that you receive is based on how early you adopt and your Medicare Part B billings. (You must submit Medicare Part B claims to qualify.) You will receive the lesser amount of either 75% of your Medicare Part B charges or $44,000 over a five year period from 2011 to 2015. You can also qualify for an early adopter incentive of $3,000 (if you qualify for either 2011 or 2012.) Remember, to receive your maximum payment, you must start now. MAXIMUM incentives (including $3,000 bonus) will be paid as follows:

• $18,000 for the 1st year
• $12,000 for the 2nd year
• $8,000 for the 3rd year
• $4,000 for the 4th year
• $2,000 for the 5th year

Qualifying Under the Medicaid Provision

Providers qualifying under Medicaid are eligible for up to $63,750 over six years. Your payment is calculated as 85% of the EHR cost (up to $25,000 for the first year), and 85% of annual cost (up to $10,000) over the following five years. To qualify for the Medicaid provision, at least 30% of your cases must be attributable to Medicaid. For pediatricians, the minimum percentage of Medicaid patients is reduced to 20%. However, office-based pediatricians are only eligible to receive up to two thirds of the maximum payment.

All of the EMR solutions that we offer are CCHIT certified for 2011. You can check out some of the EMR solutions that we offer by clicking the links below:

• Greenway
• Lytec MD
• Practice Choice
• Medisoft Clinical

Still have some questions? Visit our frequently asked questions page for more information.

Microwize periodically hosts online webinars on the stimulus package, as well as demonstrations of EMR software. To register for our next demonstration or webinar, visit our events page or click here.

Contact one of our knowledgeable staff members today and ask which EMR solution is right for your practice. Click here or call 1-800-955-0321