I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of doctors looking at the pile of $18 billion and have a strong internal debate about implementing an EMR or not. They’ll feel like they should implement an EMR by utilizing the EMR stimulus money from the HITECH Act (ARRA). However, deep down in the pit of their stomachs, they’ll have huge misgivings about it all. Many will end up regretting it later.

That’s why I keep hammering home the idea that you should implement an EMR on its own merits and not worry so much about EMR stimulus money. There is a huge list of potential EMR benefits that don’t include government money.

Kind of reminds me of the feeling you get when you hear someone peddling some get rich quick scheme. You kind of have that feeling that if you pass up this $18 billion carrot that you’re going to be a fool and wish you took advantage of it. However, deep in the pit of your stomach there’s a feeling that everything doesn’t feel quite right.

I really think that the only way to avoid this feeling is to focus on implementing an EMR that will provide a number of benefits to your clinic regardless of ARRA stimulus money.