Initial registration reveals strong interest in EHR incentives

More than 21,000 health care providers initiated registration for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs in January, and four states reported initial Medicaid incentive payments totaling more than $20 million, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reported.

In addition, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announced that as of Feb. 11, 2011, more than 45,000 providers requested information or registration help from 62 Regional Extension Centers, which provide hands-on support for providers who want to adopt and become meaningful users of electronic health information technology.

"This strong early interest in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs among providers and state Medicaid programs is most welcome and very encouraging," said Donald Berwick, MD, CMS administrator. "We encourage early adoption, and we’re seeing the registration numbers continue on an upward trajectory. The valuable feedback we’ve had in these early weeks of the program helps us to fine-tune our list of frequently asked questions and other resources to increase providers’ understanding of the incentive programs and help them in getting signed up."

Eleven states have launched Medicaid EHR incentive programs, and incentives have been issued by four states. Additional Medicaid incentive payments are in process. Medicare providers will be able to attest to meaningful use in mid- to late April, and issuance of Medicare payments is scheduled to begin in May.