CMS offers some small practices health IT incentives

So far, how many have signed up, 18. It is limited though on where it covers. Maryland/District of Columbia, Pittsburgh, Louisiana, and South Dakota with eight additional regions to follow the article states. The deadline to submit is November 26th. Also, part of the agreement is to purchase a CCHIT system, certified by the committee, which most of those are not inexpensive and even with discounts the cost may range beyond what the small practice can afford.

It is still going to take subsidizing by hospitals to help the scenario, no matter which way you look at it, especially since the insurance companies and others are the ones who benefit more from the investment made by the practice. Again, fragmented healthcare and this also looks to be a complicated issue, just as is everything in healthcare. Sure there will be some that will benefit, but from the number of applications at only 18, it doesn’t appear that small practices are lining up for the opportunity. BD

Small-to-midsize physician practices might be eligible for a new incentive program sponsored by federal and state health agencies that aims to drive the adoption of electronic health records.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, collaborating with regional health care groups, will offer incentives totaling up to $58,000 per physician over five years or $290,000 per practice over five years. To be eligible, a practice must focus on primary care, have 20 or fewer physicians, serve as the main source of primary care for a least 50 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries, and agree to install an EHR by the end of the incentive program’s second year.

http://www.govhealthit.com/online/news/350614-1.html?GHITNL=yes