The Federal government is spearheading efforts to modernize the U.S. health care process through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The health information technology (HIT) stimulus incentives provide resources to allow health care providers to take advantage of technology and improve their practice. Electronic health records (EHRs), when used in a meaningful way, provide better patient care, reduce dangerous medical errors, and help control health care costs; however, they need to be implemented correctly in order to be effective. Not only can providers earn up to $44,000 by properly implementing and demonstrating meaningful use of EHRs, but providers who do not implement EHRs by 2015 will be penalized, starting with a one percent reduction to Medicare payments annually.

CCME began working with providers to adopt EHRs more than four years ago through our federal contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). From our experience, we have found that the vast majority of physicians who have EHRs do not get past the implementation phase and, therefore, do not use them effectively. As a non-profit organization, our goal is to guide providers in the Carolinas through the EHR adoption process and educate providers on how to maximize use of the EHR for improved quality of care.

We provide several venues for providers, health care professionals, and administrative staff to learn about ARRA, HIT stimulus incentives, and EHR implementation. Our EHR services include:

Contact us today at EHRServices@thecarolinascenter.org, to learn more about our EHR services and how we can help your practice adopt an EHR system.