Electronic Health Records

An electronic health record (EHR) allows health care providers to record patient information electronically instead of using paper records. However, EHRs are often capable of doing much more than just recording information.

Posted in Patient Experience on Wednesday, June 15, 2016

They may include information about patient demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports.

The EHR Incentive Program asks providers to use the capabilities of their EHRs to achieve benchmarks that can lead to improved patient care.

Requirements

To receive an EHR incentive payment in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, providers have to meet certain requirements.

In their first year of participation, providers can adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Second year and subsequent years of participation providers must show that they are using their EHRs in a meaningful way by meeting thresholds for a number of objectives.

Check Your State’s Program Status

States may voluntarily offer the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program to their Medicaid eligible professionals and hospitals. To see which programs have launched, go to the Medicaid State Information section of the EHR website.

Register

Providers can register if they are in an eligible professional category and if their state is currently participating in the Medicaid program. Register with CMS online. Registering does not require that providers participate. Registration can be cancelled at any time.