As hospitals and physician practices begin to reap financial rewards for demonstrating meaningful use of healthcare IT, other healthcare providers who are excluded from participating in the federal meaningful use program are fighting for inclusion, according to a Huffington Post news report.
Most hospitals, physicians, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and psychologists are eligible for participation in the meaningful use program. However, other healthcare professionals — nurses, behavioral healthcare providers, emergency medical services, among others — are excluded, at least to some degree, from the program.
According to the news report, excluded healthcare providers had little time to lobby their inclusion by the time the meaningful use final rule was released. Lawmakers explained to excluded parties that narrowing eligibility allows the government to "maximize effects with limited funds, rather than try to spread the money over a greater number of providers and possibly have less impact," according to the news report.
The meaningful use final rule requires HHS to release a report on excluded healthcare providers' progress toward meaningful use, despite their lack of eligibility for incentive funding. The report was expected to be released in June 2010, but HHS stated a final report will likely be published at the end of this year.
Meanwhile, excluded healthcare providers have been drafting legislation, lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill and writing letters to Congress for expanded health IT funding. National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Motashari, MD, admits expanding health IT funding to other providers would be a significant challenge, especially in the face of a $14 trillion national deficit. Currently, two bills await action in Congress that seek to rescind HITECH funding for this very reason, according to the news report.
Read the news report about meaningful use incentive funding.
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ONC's Federal Health Architecture Contracts CGI to Develop Gateway for Nationwide Information Exchange
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Most hospitals, physicians, chiropractors, dentists, optometrists, podiatrists and psychologists are eligible for participation in the meaningful use program. However, other healthcare professionals — nurses, behavioral healthcare providers, emergency medical services, among others — are excluded, at least to some degree, from the program.
According to the news report, excluded healthcare providers had little time to lobby their inclusion by the time the meaningful use final rule was released. Lawmakers explained to excluded parties that narrowing eligibility allows the government to "maximize effects with limited funds, rather than try to spread the money over a greater number of providers and possibly have less impact," according to the news report.
The meaningful use final rule requires HHS to release a report on excluded healthcare providers' progress toward meaningful use, despite their lack of eligibility for incentive funding. The report was expected to be released in June 2010, but HHS stated a final report will likely be published at the end of this year.
Meanwhile, excluded healthcare providers have been drafting legislation, lobbying lawmakers on Capitol Hill and writing letters to Congress for expanded health IT funding. National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Motashari, MD, admits expanding health IT funding to other providers would be a significant challenge, especially in the face of a $14 trillion national deficit. Currently, two bills await action in Congress that seek to rescind HITECH funding for this very reason, according to the news report.
Read the news report about meaningful use incentive funding.
Related Articles on Meaningful Use:
ONC's Federal Health Architecture Contracts CGI to Develop Gateway for Nationwide Information Exchange
ONC Opens Competency Examination Program for Health IT Workers
CCHIT Establishes 3 New EHR Certification Programs