EMR and HIPAA Answer to EMR Stimulus Questions
Today’s question comes from an EMR and HIPAA reader:
If I may back up, I am not having much luck in finding how we, as a clinic, get ’signed up’ if you will for this program. We already have EHR implemented. We are a rural health clinic that accepts Medicare and caid. We have been told by our EHR provider that they are CCHIT Certified. From what I have read, we are likely eligible however not sure how to get started. Could someone please advise. Thank you

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is that we still don’t know how Eligible Professionals (EP) or Eligible Hospital(EH) are going to be able to “apply” or “sign up” for the EMR stimulus money. I expect we won’t know all the details to actually applying for the EMR stimulus until the end of this year or early next year.

Remember that starting in 2011, you’ll need to show 3 months of “meaningful use” of a “certified EHR” in order to get the stimulus money. That means that CMS has some time before they really have to publish the methods you’ll use to apply for the bonus money. Of course, we all hope it’s published sooner instead of later and ideally before the end of the year so that doctors can plan appropriately for the start of 2011.

Also, to clear up one misunderstanding from the question. CCHIT Certified is NOT the criteria that CMS/HHS will be using to know if you’re using a “certified EHR.” HHS/CMS/ONC have yet to release the final rule for EHR certification bodies and the final criteria that certified EHR software will have to meet to become “ARRA-Certified” or “HHS Certified” (or whatever they end up calling it). We aren’t likely to get all the details on the recognized certification and bodies until at least June and possibly the end of summer.

Justin Barnes, did give some good advice when he said that you should be ‘speaking with your EHR provider to understand how they are going to support you in achieving meaningful use using their “ARRA-certified” EHR.’ Although, I’m a little leery of an EHR company that told you that they are CCHIT Certified and left it at that. It makes me wonder how much they really know about the EMR stimulus money requirements since CCHIT certification doesn’t really matter.

While you wait for more details on the real EHR certifications to happen and for the application process to unfold, you might browse through the meaningful use matrix and other meaningful use details. This is the list of ways that you’re going to have to use your EHR in order to qualify for the money. Certainly would be worth reviewing to see what other EHR features you should be using if you want the EMR stimulus.

Check out the previous EMR and HIPAA EHR Stimulus Question and Answers and please send us other questions you might have in the comments.

Time again for everyone’s favorite topic (or so it seems), EHR stimulus questions and answers. Today’s EMR stimulus question comes from Jamie who asked the following question on a previous post:

Does anyone know whether or not the government is implementing some kind of incentive benefit for non-Medicare/Medicaid users? Or are these practices totally out of luck?

The short answer (at least for now) is not really. The ARRA EHR stimulus money is provided through Medicare and Medicaid programs as “bonuses” for those who show “meaningful use” of a “certified EHR.”

With that said, there are some grants available for special situations. For example, they have a beacon communities program which are given to organizations that will supposedly take EHR software to the next level and be examples for their communities of what can be done with IT and EMR software.

I’ve heard there’s other grants that people can apply for also, but I’m not sure all of the details. I also hear that there might be some EMR stimulus money available in the latest healthcare reform bill. For example, I read somewhere recently that the healthcare reform bill includes some stimulus money for long term care which has basically been left out of stimulus money as well.

Clinics interested in EMR software should also be able to get some help from the RECs and HITRCs. At least their stated mission is to assist doctors to adopt and meaningfully use EMR software. I think the jury’s still out on how helpful these RECs will actually be. It’s a nice idea, but could go horribly wrong if not done right.

I won’t go into all the details here, but not qualifying for the EMR stimulus money might just be the best thing that’s happened to your practice. That means you won’t be distracted and you don’t need to wait. You can hone in on the other EMR benefits and start reaping those benefits without all the bureaucracy.

EMR and HIPAA Answer to EMR Stimulus Questions
When will they send the EMR stimulus checks?
I already posted about when the first EMR stimulus checks will go out. This question is a little different since it is about when during the year will you get paid the EMR stimulus once you’ve shown “meaningful use” of a “certified EHR.”

I honestly didn’t know the answer to this question until a few days ago. I’m still not completely sure on the process. Plus, I’m not sure if all the details have really been answered for this question. With that said, Justin Barnes from Greenway said during a webinar that you’ll receive your EMR stimulus check once you reach the max for that year. So, according to Justin, you’ll receive the check once you reach the $18k the first year.

This was pretty surprising to me. I would have thought they’d pay you out a little at a time as you went once you’d satisfied the meaningful use requirement. However, I guess it makes for easier accounting if you just do it all at once. Does anyone else have information on this part of it? It was the first time I’d heard someone describe when the money would actually be paid.

EMR and HIPAA Answer to EMR Stimulus Quesitons
When’s the earliest we can get the ARRA EMR Stimulus Money?
Medicare Related EMR Stimulus Money
The earliest payments for those wanting the $44k per provider of stimulus money from Medicare will be Spring of 2011. Providers will need to show “meaningful use” of a “certified EHR” for 90 days in 2011 to be able to qualify for the first year payment of $18k. So, the very first checks won’t be sent out until at least Spring of 2011.
Medicaid Related EMR Stimulus Money
Unfortunately, we don’t really know the answer to this question. It’s also made even more difficult since each state will be able to decide when and how they are going to pay out the $63,750 in EMR stimulus money for Medicaid providers. I imagine some will model the Medicare schedule, but with 50 states we’re going to likely see a lot of different methods.

EMR and HIPAA Reader Submitted Question:
Is there a way for a provider to get stimulus money for EMR if not currently a Medicare provider?

Besides Medicare, there is also stimulus money available through Medicaid. In fact, Medicaid has more money per provider available than Medicare, but also has different requirements to obtain the EMR stimulus money. Outside of that, ONC has a number of grants that might be available for organizations that qualify and want to go through the grant writing process. Otherwise, NO there is no stimulus money if you don’t take Medicare, Medicaid or qualify for some special grants.

Check out all of EMR and HIPAA’s EMR Stimulus Questions and Answers.

EMR and HIPAA Reader Submitted Question:
Can you get ARRA stimulus money for systems already installed? Thank you.

The simple answer is YES!

The longer answer is that ARRA makes no differentiation between those that have previously installed an EMR, are currently installing an EMR or that will install an EMR in the future. the HITECH Act (ARRA) just requires that a provider shows “meaningful use” of a “certified EHR.” So, as long as the EMR which you previously installed is a “certified EHR” (still yet to be defined) and can support you showing “meaningful use” (almost defined), then you’d be entitled to the EMR stimulus money.

If you’d like to have a question for me to answer, submit it to the EMR and HIPAA contact us page.