What makes sense for your practice?

Moving to new technology can be a challenge and costly but there is no better time than now to adopt Electronic Health Record (EHR) technology. The first year of government incentives ($21,500 for Medicaid and $18,000 for Medicare) are more than enough to offset the cost of the technology. This incentive is a one time opportunity no eligible professional should miss.

The Medicaid EHR incentive program is like an open invitation to an exclusive club with no restrictions – you can come and go as often as you like and enjoy all the amenities.  Compared to the Medicare EHR incentive program, most EPs should be running to this incentive program as fast as they can.

Here are just a few reasons the Medicaid EHR program vs. the Medicare program makes sense. To apply and receive first year’s incentive with the Medicaid EHR program EPs don’t have to be using an EHR, all they need to be eligible is to have a signed contract, apply and attest to their state Medicaid agency. On the contrary the Medicare program begins with the EP using a certified EHR and being able to attest they are a meaningful user.

The Medicaid incentive program could be considered easier than the Medicare program since in the Eligible Provider’s first initial year they are not required to achieve meaningful use. In fact, with the Medicaid program the EP can wait as long as 2016 to enter the incentive program and still receive maximum incentive. In addition, there are no potential penalties and the incentives are not front-end loaded.

As for the Medicare program to receive maximum incentives, time is running out. The EP must begin in 2011 or 2012 and must achieve meaningful use. That means the EP needs to purchase a certified EHR system, implement and become a meaningful user before October to attest their three months as a meaningful user and receive incentives for 2011. To receive maximum incentives for 2012 the EP needs to implement before the end of this year and attest a full year as a meaningful user to receive maximum incentives.

In comparison, the Medicaid incentive program is much easier but the patient volume threshold maybe holding most EPs back. Best thing an EP can do is go to cms.gov and use the “Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs” widget to see if you qualify as an eligible Medicaid EP based on your patient volume.

With the ever changing healthcare regulations this one time opportunity should not be missed. There is still time to implement a system, but make it the right system for your practice. Don’t run out and purchase just any EHR. Make sure it fits your practice needs. It’s easy to use and you have the local support necessary to assist you through the electronic workflow.

Karen Apa is the marketing director for SuiteMed. She has over 25 years of experience in marketing for national companies with 18 years focused in the healthcare IT industry. To find out more about SuiteMed IMS, an integrated certified Ambulatory EHR for the physician practice, visit www.suitemed.com.

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