Recent legislation from the federal government regarding healthcare stimulus monies has piqued the interest of many.  Learn how your practice may be eligible to receive stimulus funding through organizations that are dedicated to making healthcare more efficient through the use of technology.

 www.CMS.gov (The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act) was signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009. The law includes the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or the "HITECH Act," which established programs under Medicare and Medicaid to provide incentive payments for the "meaningful use" of certified electronic health records (EHR) technology.

 To read information regarding the following topics, please click on the link above.
 
  • Implementation of the EHR Incentive Programs
     
  • Establishment of EHR Technology Standards and Certification Requirements
     
  • Protecting Privacy and Security of Health Information
     
www.CCHIT.org (Certification Commission for Health Information Technology)
The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) was founded in 2004, and has been certifying electronic health records (EHRs) since 2006. Widespread adoption of health information technology (health IT) can foster improvements in quality, safety, efficiency and access – key goals in today’s national dialog on health reform. CCHIT Certified Comprehensive certification is intended to serve health care providers looking for maximal assurance that a product will meet their complex needs, as well as support their achievement of Meaningful Use to qualify for the ARRA financial incentives. GE Centricity® software was certified by CCHIT on June 30, 2008.
 
www.HHS.gov (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services)
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) is the United States government’s principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services.
The work of the HHS is conducted by the Office of the Secretary and 11 agencies. The agencies perform a wide variety of tasks and services, including research, public health, food & drug safety, grants and other funding, health insurance, and many others.
 
The HHS site provides a wealth of information at your fingertips. You can go to HHS.gov/Recovery to read more about how the Federal government is offering over $750 million in Recovery Act awards to help health care providers advance the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (IT) and train workers for the health care jobs of the future. These programs at the state and regional level will lay the foundation for a national health information technology infrastructure that will allow for the secure electronic use and exchange of health information through the meaningful use of electronic health records and lead to improved quality, efficiency and safety of health care.
 
To keep a closer watch over the Recovery Act spending as well as to track reports covering potential fradulent, abusive or even wasteful spending, click here.