Under the provisions of the HITECH Act, State Medicaid programs are establishing EHR Incentive Programs.  These programs provide for incentive payments to certain health care professionals and hospitals that meet specific eligibility requirements when they adopt, implement, and meaningfully use certified EHR technology. To be eligible for incentive programs, health care professionals and hospitals must fall within the defined classifications and meet minimum Medicaid patient volume thresholds. Providers can determine whether they are eligible by clicking here.

Eligible professionals and hospitals must also meet meaningful use criteria.  Over time, meaningful use criteria will be broadened.  Minimally, a meaningful user of certified EHR technology must meet these three requirements:

• Demonstrate use of certified EHR technology in a meaningful manner, including e-prescribing
• Demonstrate connectivity to other providers to improve access to the full view of a patient’s health history
• Use certified EHR technology to submit, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary of HHS, information on clinical quality measures and other measures

The final rule on specific meaningful use criteria was released on July 13, 2010.  It outlines in greater detail what participating providers will need to do to qualify for the Medicaid EHR incentive payments. The final rule can be reviewed here.