Report finds twice as many physicians receive federal incentive dollars when working with a REC than those who go it alone on EHRs
Navigating the complicated and evolving world of electronic health record (EHR) systems can be overwhelming for physicians. However, a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office finds practices working with a Regional Extension Center (REC) were more likely to successfully adopt an EHR system and receive Medicare incentive payments.
The report states that practitioners who have agreed to technical assistance from a REC are, “twice as likely to have been awarded an incentive payment.”* With incentive payments for Medicare at $15,000 for the first year of adoption and Medicaid at $21,000, incentive dollars go a long way in helping providers defray the cost of transitioning to an EHR system.
UCF Regional Extension Center (UCF REC) was one of 62 RECs established around the country to help practitioners adopt and implement EHR systems and assist them in achieving meaningful use.
“We’ve been able to assist more than 2,200 providers so far and have helped them qualify for over $21 million dollars in incentive payments,” said Josue Rodas, executive director of UCF REC who was not surprised by the report. “Our account managers spend a lot of time explaining the EHR process, interpreting federal guidelines and meaningful use so that practitioners are using the EHR’s in a way that meets patient care and reporting goals,” added Rodas. Although practices can implement an EHR themselves, REC’s provide the Health IT expertise and implementation knowledge that many practices lack.
*GAO Electronic Health Records:
Number and Characteristics of Providers Awarded Medicare Incentive Payments for 2011
For more information on UCF REC visit ucf-rec.org or call 407 309 4789.