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HHS seeks communities to participate in EHR demonstration project

EHR Connection, February 25, 2008

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt is inviting community leaders nationwide to apply for a demonstration project that will provide Medicare incentive payments to primary care physician practices for use of certified EHRs to improve patient care, according to a February 20 HHS press release.

Financial incentives paid to as many as 1,200 physician practices over five years may be as high as $58,000 per physician or $290,000 per practice, according to the press release. The results of a standardized survey measuring the number of EHR functionalities incorporated into a physician practice will determine the amount of potential bonus payments beyond the incentive payments.

Communities interested in becoming one of 12 participating health markets may apply from now through mid May. CMS expects the demonstration to begin with four communities in 2008 and continue with the remainder in 2009. CMS will work with selected communities to recruit physician practice participants, according to the press release.

Recruitment will focus on locations where demonstrations may enhance existing or planned private sector initiatives pertaining to health information technology and quality reporting. HHS seeks communities that have strong ties to primary care physicians and are willing to assist CMS with respect to education activities and physician recruitment, according to Kerry Weems, acting administrator of CMS.

Click here to read the HHS press release.

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