There is a lot of misinformation about the EMR stimulus incentives. That’s unfortunate because the drive toward Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) is meant to improve healthcare and save lives.
I’d like to take a moment to dispel the three most common myths I’ve heard.
1) The EMR Incentive is a rebate
You do not need to show a receipt to earn the stimulus money. Using a certified EMR according to Meaningful Use will qualify eligible providers. Practice Fusion guarantees its users who are pursuing the EMR Incentive will be able to qualify for the first round of payments in 2011 by using our EMR. The only difference with Practice Fusion is that since our EMR is free, you get to keep the money.
2) Medicare and Medicaid don’t have the money so no one will get paid
Despite the state of Medicare and Medicaid, the money has already been allocated. This is because the money comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). Medicare and Medicaid are simply the distributors.
3) CCHIT Certification is required of an EMR for its users to qualify for stimulus incentives
This is where it gets complicated. CCHIT Certification is not required for an EMR so that its users can qualify for the incentive. What is required is ONC Certification, which is different from the traditional CCHIT Certification.
CCHIT is one of several bodies that can grant ONC Certification. CCHIT used to have a monopoly on certifying EMRs but now that the government is involved, this is no longer true and their traditional certification has nothing to do with the EMR Incentive.
There is a lot of talk about the EMR stimulus incentive and even more speculation. The fact is that if you are an eligible provider you can qualify by using Practice Fusion’s EMR in accordance with Meaningful Use. What’s more, we will actively help you achieve Meaningful Use for free and you will be able to keep the money. Visit our Stimulus Center for more information.
Derek Ward
Trainer, Product Evangelist
Practice Fusion
