Electronic Health Record (EHR)
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide financial incentives to eligible health professionals (EPs) and hospitals that “meaningfully use” electronic health record (EHR) technology. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published the Final Criteria that physicians will have to meet to obtain the incentive payments. Below are resources and guidance related to the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, including a Basic Starter Guide for the EHR program and how to get involved.
ACS Advocacy and Resources | Regional Extension Center (REC)
Rulemaking Process | FAQs | Additional Resources
Free Online EHR Comparison Resource Available - Free to ACS Members
ACS is now a professional society partner of AmericanEHR Partners, a Web-based resource for Electronic Health Records (EHR) system selection/implementation developed by the American College of Physicians and Cientis Technologies.
All ACS members can access this free service to compare certified EHR systems to find the system that best suits their specific needs. Below are key program features:
- The EHR Readiness Assessment Tool will help you and your practice to assess a number of critical areas and gauge the effort and commitment required to make EHR adoption easier and more successful.
- The EHR Comparison Engine and Rating System, based on selected specialty and other search criteria, helps practices evaluate and compare products and user ratings.
- An interactive physician community allows users to share experiences.
- An EHR Blog invites guest bloggers to post about the HIT industry and other timely technology topics.
- A biweekly EHR Educational Newsletter.
- Specialty and subspecialty society specific information and resources.
- Educational resources and podcasts.
AmericanEHR Partners does not endorse or indicate a preference for any EHR system. The goal is to provide unbiased information on all participating EHR vendors.
To visit the site, go to www.americanehr.com/Home.aspx.- Contracting Advice
- Quality Measures Guidance - Coming Soon!
- Medicare vs. Medicaid
- Articles from the Bulletin of the American College of Surgeons
- The meaningful use final rule (1475K PDF)
by Vinita Ollapally, JD (October '10) - Meaningful use of electronic health records (75K PDF)
by Vinita Ollapally, JD (May '10)
- The meaningful use final rule (1475K PDF)
- Medicaid State Information
Regional Extension Center (REC)
Regional Extension Centers were created as a result of Health Information Technology Extension Program which was authorized by The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. The purpose of a regional extension center (REC) is to offer technical assistance, guidance, and information to help health care providers become meaningful users of Electronic Health Records (EHRs). There are currently 62 RECs throughout the United States and each REC has a defined service area. Although RECs have placed a priority on delivering services to primary care practices, RECs will provide assistance to specialty practices as well, although fees might vary by REC. Please contact the REC in your area for availability and pricing. Click on the REC listing link below for a listing of the current RECs, please visit State by State RECs (110K PDF).
- Comment Letters
- Rule Making
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
- AMA- Health Information Technology- EHR Incentive Program
- Office of the National Coordinator- Health and Human Services-Health Information Technology
- HIMSS- Meaningful Use final Rule Webinar Series
- American Academy of Pediatrics- Meaningful Use Resources
- AHIMA White Paper Series on Meaningful Use
Revised May 18, 2012