EHR and your hospital — Are you ready to show “meaningful use”?

Description

Abstract: Back in 2009, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) created new programs designed to encourage health care providers to use electronic health record (EHR) technology. The programs, known as the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, provide payments to eligible hospitals that adopt and demonstrate “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology. This article explains the basics of the program, along with the various criteria for meaningful use. A sidebar lists the 14 core objectives hospitals must meet in order to qualify for incentive payments.