Page 827 of the stimulus bill states government will grant monies for use of certified EMR systems. Funding is directly connected to "meaningful use" of a certified EMR.
Meaningful Use
"Meaningful use" is defined in measurable results that demonstrate quality, safety, and efficiency improvements: electronic prescribing, clinical reporting, and interoperability are requirements.
Medicare Provision
In 2011, those qualified can receive $44,000 in total Medicare incentive payments spanning a 5 year period from 2011 to 2015, dispersed in increments as:
- 1st year: $18,000
- 2nd year: $12,000
- 3rd Year: $8,000
- 4th Year: $4,000
- 5th Year: $2,000
Medicaid ProvisionBeginning in 2011, those qualified can collect a sum total of $63,750 over a 6 year span - calculated as 85% of the EMR costs not exceeding $25,000 in the first year, followed by 85% of annual costs not exceeding $10,000 over the next 5 years. To be eligible, more than 30% of the cases must be attributed to Medicaid.
PenaltiesFor those that do not adopt an EMR, Medicare payments will be reduced by 1% in 2015, 2% in 2016, 3% in 2017, and after 2017, up to 7% for Medicare-based reimbursements.