EHR Medicare and Medicaid Incentive programs are NOT Jeopardized

We've been hearing about the Republicans trying to repeal "Obama Healthcare" in very general terms. What does it mean specifically? How does it impact the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive programs?


Let me dive in a bit more in detail. 


Rep. Jim Jordan (Republican, Ohio), introduced the Spending Reduction Act of 2011 (H.R. 408) on January 24. This bill seeks to reduce federal spending by $2.5 trillion over the coming decade! How? It singles out many federal programs for elimination.

Section 302 of the bill, titled "REPEAL OF CERTAIN STIMULUS PROVISIONS," states that "effective on the date of the enactment of this Act, subtitles B and C of title II and titles III through VII of division B of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5) are repealed, and the provisions of law amended or repealed by such provisions of division B are restored or revived as if such provisions of division B had not been enacted."

Here's where it gets messy. The $27 billion earmarked for Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentives falls under division B.

If firmly believe the bill will not pass.

The GOP holds majorities in the House, but the Democrats control the Senate. President Obama will surely veto this bill if it ever comes to him.

I (and many other analysts and industry experts) am not worried about the bill being signed into law. What is worrisome is the confusion this bill creates. Providers are skeptical of anything that CMS does. This bill compounds the skepticism. I suspect many providers may hold off their purchasing decisions.

Providers should be looking at EHR technologies for the benefits it accrues to them and their practice. Stimulus incentive should be an added bonus. They should not be putting the cart before the horse. I hope this message comes out loud and clear.

What is Leadership?

Control is not leadership; management is not leadership; leadership is leadership. If you seek to lead, invest at least 50% of your time in leading yourself your own purpose, ethics, principles, motivation, conduct. Invest at least 20% leading those with authority over you and 15% leading your peers." 


- Dee Hock, Founder & Chairman Emeritus of Visa International

Preparing your Practice for Meaningful Use with EMR/EHR software for Incentives

There are some of the steps you need to take to prepare your practice for Meaningful Use. There are many things you need to comply with, but here's a small list that typically gets overlooked in a specialty practice. Please bear in  mind this is not supposed to be a comprehensive list.

1. Record chronic conditions in the medical history section of your EMR
2. Record preferred language, race and ethnicity in patient demographics when registering a new patient. For established patients, update this information. It is used by immunization registries and recording this is part of the meaningful use requirements.
3. Print Patient Education material from EMR.
4. Record Vital signs for patients. Record height and weight on each patient for at least one visit.
5. Record blood pressure on any patient especially those with a history of hypertension.
6. Record smoking / tobacco use.
7. Reconcile medications.
8. Provide a printed copy of the Continuity of Care Record when a patient is referred out to another doctor.