Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Guide

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Posted By: Roberta Mullin July 16, 2012

CMS Publishes Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Guide for EPs

The new CMS comprehensive guide, An Introduction to the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program for Eligible Professionals, was designed as a step-by-step tutorial for Eligible Professionals taking them through the phases of the Medicaid EHR Incentive program.The 94-page manual includes the program basics, participation, meaningful use, and attestation. It also includes a resource library and a glossary.

The CMS Medicaid EHR Incentive program is ultimately administered and managed by each individual State. The guide includes registration through CMS and eligibility verification at the State level. Currently 45 States have opened registration for Medicaid EHR Incentive programs, the newest on July 2 was Idaho. A current list of information on State Medicaid EHR Incentive programs can be found on the CMS web site.

Currently five States do not have a Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. Here are their status:

  1. Hawaii – Med-Quest is the Medicaid administrator for Hawaii, they claim they are reviewing the provisions and planning a program.
  2. Minnesota – In November 2011, DHS received CMS approval of the Minnesota State Medicaid HIT Plan (SMHP), required for administration of the Medicaid EHR Provider Incentive Program (MEIP). Sign up for the mailing list to get updates on when the program will begin.
  3. Nevada – launch date for the Nevada Medicaid Provider Incentive Program for EHRs is anticipated to be summer of 2012.
  4. NH – The State of New Hampshire will provide more information on its program as it becomes available. Sign up for their mailing list.
  5. Virginia – The Virginia Regional Extension Center (REC) is reporting an August 1st launch for the State Medicaid registration portal.

Back in December, CMS published , An Introduction to the Medicare EHR Incentive Program for Eligible Professionals. This comprehensive tool will help EPs navigate through all of the phases of the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. This 82-page guide is organized in five steps through the program; the basics, how to participate, meaningful use, attestation, and a resource library. It is in a PDF format and is interactive for users to click through on outside links as well as moving through and around the guide. October 3, 2012 is the last day for eligible professionals to begin their 90-day reporting period to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EHR Incentive.