Part B Insider (Multispecialty) Coding Alert

PHYSICIAN NOTES:

HHS Starts the Process of Establishing EHR Certification Program

Plus: CMS changes DME phone rules -- again

Medical practices that are eager to get in on CMS's electronic health record (EHR) incentive program are one step closer to finding out which systems are government-approved. Many physicians have been holding off on buying an EHR system since the government hasn't certified any to be acceptable for the EHR program yet. Only certified EHRs will qualify for the potential $44,000 incentive (which will be paid over a five-year period to those who participate for the full five years).

However, a March 2 message from David Blumenthal, MD, the national coordinator for health information technology, lays out the proposed rule for establishing such certification programs.

You can read about the proposal and submit comments via the Web site at http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt.