CMA Advises MDs to Begin EHR Needs Assessment Process Now

The 2009 federal economic stimulus package includes $19 billion for health information technology (HIT), the vast majority of which will be directed to physicians to subsidize the purchase and usage of electronic health record (EHR) systems. Beginning in 2011, qualifying Medicare providers stand to gain up to $44,000 under the program; qualifying Medi-Cal providers stand to receive as much as $64,000.

Many of the standards governing the subsidies will be worked out in the coming months. Given the lack of clarity about what EHR systems will qualify a physician to receive the federal subsidy, CMA believes that now is not the time to rush out and purchase a system. In the meantime, CMA advises physicians to begin the process of assessing their EHR needs, with an eye on what will work best for their specialties, the sizes of their practices, their career stages, and their comfort levels with technology.

Because of the complexity and cost involved with selecting and implementing an EHR, it is imperative that physician practices plan accordingly. To help, CMA has created an HIT Resource Center — http://www.CMANet.org/HIT — where you will find the latest information, answers to frequently asked questions, and links to HIT-related resources for physicians.

CMA is closely monitoring the HIT standards development process and will be updating the resource center as new information becomes available.