Comments on: FAQ on HITECH, Meaningful Use, Eligible Providers, and the Stimulus Money

By: Mary Pat Whaley

Mary Pat Whaley — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 02:34:18 +0000

Hi Tricia,

For 2012, there is no eRx bonus, and if you e-prescribed last year, you are avoiding the eRx penalty this year.

You can attest again for the EHR Stimulus money under Stage 1 in 2012.

PQRS (what PQRI is now called) is still available for 2012.

For 2012, you can do two of the three – great job!

Best wishes,

Mary Pat

By: Tricia

Tricia — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 15:24:01 +0000

Our office participated in MU, PQRI and submitted the eRx code for Medicare this year. Our providers are now wondering if they WILL NEED TO do all three for 2012 as well? I’ve been researching for them but it is so confusing and mainly stating monies and penalties instead of what we’re looking for. Is there a definitive place that states we can participate in only one instead of reporting in two or all three?

By: Mary Pat Whaley

Mary Pat Whaley — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 17:16:11 +0000

Hi Wendy,

Check out HITECHAnswers (http://www.hitechanswers.net/) for comprehensive information – membership in their resource center is free for eligible providers.

Best wishes,

Mary Pat

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 14:58:59 +0000

My office is new to this EHR Meaningful Use Incentives program. How and when do we submit for this program?

Thanks

By: Mary Pat Whaley

Mary Pat Whaley — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 00:59:42 +0000

Hi Daniel,

I apologize for the delay in answering, but I’ve been looking for something absolutely definitive in writing to point you to and I haven’t found it – maybe another reader can point you to it. My understanding is that Medicare and Medicaid managed care patients count just the same as Medicare and Medicaid traditional-program patients, but I don’t have a reference for you.

Best wishes,

Mary Pat

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 22:46:29 +0000

When you speak about meaningful use/incentives for Medicare and medicaid. How to we categorize Patients billed under the Managed Medicare and medicaid programs. 99% of my patients are “Managed”.
Thanks

By: Ricki Holm

Ricki Holm — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 20:44:01 +0000

Hi There,

I Noticed some doctors wanted to opt out of meaningful use so they dont have to purchase certified EHR’s. Remember in certain states like MA, physicians who have not adopted a certified EHR in in their practices will NOT be abe to RENEW MEDICAL LICENSES after 2015.

There is a much bigger picture here than just MEANINGFUL USE/ PQRI

Thanks
Ricki

By: Mary Pat Whaley

Mary Pat Whaley — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 04:12:22 +0000

Hi Kindra,

To the best of my knowledge, you do not have to apply for exclusion. You will not receive the bonus, however, you may receive a reduced payment from Medicare if and when they require meaningful use of an EHR to receive full Medicare reimbursement.

Best wishes,

mary Pat

By: Kindra

Kindra — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:14:49 +0000

Mary,
I can’t find anything regarding how to be excluded from being an Eligible Provider. For example, I am a physician who sees patients in my private practice. I don’t see patients in a hospital at all, so under my private practice, I would qualify as an EP. But, I don’t want to have to purchase a Certified EHR or participate in any of the reporting required as an EP to get the incentives. Do you have any information on options for exclusion from this?
Thank you for your time.
Kindra

By: Mary Pat Whaley

Mary Pat Whaley — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 04:04:08 +0000

Hi David,

CMS states that hospital-based EPs do not qualify for incentives, but I am not able to find anything from CMS that states that if you don’t qualify for the incentive you won’t be penalized for not using an EHR. The whole point of the program is to encourage physicians who can use EHRs to use EHRs and if your practice doesn’t use an EHR because you’re working in the hospital, I’m not sure that a penalty can be justified. Having said that, we are talking about CMS!

Considering that you see most of your patients in the hospital, I think you’ll be able to opt out of using an EHR without any problem.

If I see anything on this topic from CMS, I’ll publish it on Manage My Practice.

Best wishes,

Mary Pat