In the first weeks of Oregon's Medicaid Incentive Program, 22 providers from five clinics received payments, with more payments going out each week. Dr., Kenneth Carlson, a pediatrician at Childhood Health Associates of Salem, was one of the first in the state to receive an incentive payment.
Find out if you are eligible and prepare to apply for the EHR Incentive Program! EHRs can help improve the quality and coordination of care for patients by providing immediate access to their complete and secure health records. It's designed to support your clinic or hospital by providing payments to assist in installing or updating your EHR as well as develop and achieve meaningful use of your system.
I am a huge proponent of Electronic Health Records (EHR). Implementing EHR at the Davies Clinic has benefited my work as a doctor and created a positive experience for my patients. Of the many advantages, two have especially stood out. First, the EHR allows me to access the data I need, when I need it.
Much of my professional career has really focused on growing people and businesses. I have especially focused on the senior health care industry - where much of the care we provide seniors does not stop in the clinic, but continues at home. This makes having an EHR system vital.
It wasn't until I left residency, and went to an isolated clinic overseas, without an EHR, that I fully appreciated how easy, reliable access to data outside the visit really improved my patient care. I'm convinced that my EHR improves my overall efficiency, and allows me to provide better, safer care for my patients.
Right now, Oregon hospitals and eligible health care providers can apply for federal grants to help them implement and use electronic health records. The goal of the grants is to help providers and hospitals move to secure electronic records, allowing better coordination of care for all.
For eligible providers, the deadline to apply for a payment in 2011 is February 29, 2012. It may take 4-6 weeks for providers to gain access to the Provider Web Portal, which must be accessed for an application to be started. Please don't delay to apply!
The deadline for hospitals to apply for 2011 payments was Nov. 30, though applications can be started anytime until 2015.
If you have purchased a system or are considering purchasing a system, find out if you're eligible for an incentive payment and apply today.
How do I know if I'm an eligible provider?
If you're a provider and less than 90% of your services are provided in a hospital, than you are not considered hospital based and may qualify for the program. See the Provider Eligibility page for more information.
How much will I get?
This depends on whether you'll be applying as an individual Provider or for a Hospital. You can visit these pages to learn about incentive amounts for each.
What EHR systems are there?
There are many systems – we can help you find the right one for your hospital or clinic and guide you on how to get it certified.
Where can I go to find help? O-HITEC is Oregon's Regional Extension Center. They're your best resource for identifying the right EHR system for you, implementing the system, and helping you meet meaningful use.
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