Pediatric Practices - EHR and Meaningful Use

HHS Release Final Rule on Meaningful Use of EHR

On Tuesday, July 13, 2010, the Department of Health and Human Services released its Final Rule on Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records (EHR), along with an additional rule dealing with certification of EHRs. Click here to view the entire Final Rule. For more information and a summary of the changes in the Final Rule visit the AAP Member Center.

Regional Extension Centers for Health Information Technology

Beginning next year, physicians that adopt and make effective use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to improve patient care can earn up to $63,750 from Medicaid. To get the incentive, providers must have an EHR that achieves meaningful use (MU). Basically, providers must show that they are using the system to improve their patients’ health. Providers must use an EHR certified by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONCHIT).

Software must be able to generate MU reports to submit to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS). This requires specific functionality. In last year’s stimulus legislation, Congress anticipated the extra burden that EHR implementation would impose on small provider organizations. Funds were set aside to develop Regional Extension Centers to assist small practices and community health centers with purchasing, implementing and using EHRs. PA has been awarded a grant by the federal government to a non-profit partnership that is led by Quality Insights of Pennsylvania to establish an East and West Regional Extension Center entitled “PA REACH.”

The PA REACH East/West are the only federally authorized organizations to help providers transition to MU. Be sure to contact PA REACH prior to signing a vendor contract so you can be sure that the software measures up to MU.

To learn more about PA REACH for Eastern PA: attend one of the Outreach and Education Sessions that are scheduled around the state or vist the website.

To learn more about PA REACH for Western PA: attend one of the Outreach and Education Sessions that are scheduled around the state or visit the website.

ARRA Funding and Pediatric Meaningful Use - Frequently Asked Questions

This document, prepared by Sue Kressly MD, FAAP (Warrington, PA) provides a good background on qualifications for ARRA funding of pediatric EHRs and meaningful use.  

PA Department of Public Welfare Plans for ARRA Funding

Click this link for information on DPW's Health Information Technology Initiative.  Take a special look at the Pediatric Care EQUIP document found under the sub-heading "Electronic Quality Improvement Projects."  This document outlines DPW's thoughts on pediatric outcome measures.