Over 1000 healthcare providers hope to achieve financial incentives from the federal government
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the National Coordinator have announced that HealthInsight, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the healthcare systems of Nevada and Utah will serve as the health information technology Regional Extension Center for Nevada. Regional Extension Centers were created out of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 stimulus package for the purpose of improving the quality and value of health care throughout the country. Already, over 1000 healthcare providers in Nevada have committed to work with the newly announced Regional Extension Center in order to become eligible for bonus payments from the federal government for their Medicaid/Medicare patients.
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In order for physicians to be eligible for their share of the $34 billion in financial incentives they must be successful in becoming "meaningful users" of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. Health information technology Regional Extension Centers across the country will assist providers to adopt and achieve "meaningful use" as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Improvement Technology. In addition to achieving "meaningful use" of an EHR, physicians must also exchange health information through a health information exchange to improve quality of care, and report on quality measures in order to achieve the available financial incentives.
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"Nevada physicians agree that the increased use of health information technology will improve patient care and is essential to any successful reforms of the health care system," said Larry Matheis, Nevada State Medical Association Executive Director. "As the Regional Center for Health Information Technology, HealthInsight is in the best position to assist physicians to make decisions regarding new technologies."
As the Regional Extension Center for Nevada, HealthInsight will work on a priority basis with primary care providers such as family practice, internal medicine, OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and others serving underserved populations to offer hands-on, one-on-one customized assistance selecting and using EHRs to improve care. Other healthcare providers and specialists that are not priority list will be offered assistance from the Regional Center as well.
HealthInsight will begin operation as the Regional Extension Center in February 2010 and will work with 1500 providers the first year, and 1500 additional providers over the next three years and beyond. For more information about the Regional Extension Center, visit www.healthinsight.org.
About HealthInsight
HealthInsight is a private, non-profit community based organization dedicated to improving the healthcare systems of Nevada and Utah. HealthInsight is the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) -designated Chartered Value Exchange, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), and the Regional Center for Health Information Technology in Nevada and Utah. HealthInsight is a recognized leader in transparency and public reporting; health information technology initiatives; healthcare system delivery and payment reform efforts; human factors science research and application; and quality assurance activities, including our innovative HI RESolution(TM) - a customizable electronic medical review platform. HealthInsight has offices in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Las Vegas, Nevada. The company employs approximately 70 professionals and works with more than 100 physician consultants.
Department of Health and Human Services Grant award no. 90RC0009/01
SOURCE HealthInsight
