Bill Would Expand Eligibility for ‘Meaningful Use’ Incentives

Yesterday, Reps. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.) and Tim Murphy (R-Pa.) introduced a bill (HR 5025) that would allow behavioral, mental health and substance abuse treatment providers to qualify for incentive payments for the “meaningful use” of electronic health records, Healthcare IT News reports.

Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, hospitals and physicians who demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs can qualify for incentive payments through Medicaid and Medicare.

The new Health Information Technology Extension for Behavioral Health Services Act of 2010 would extend eligibility for the incentive payments to:

* Behavioral and mental health professionals and clinics;
* Substance abuse professionals and treatment facilities;
* Psychiatric hospitals; and
* Licensed psychologists and clinical social workers (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 4/16).

Above article publish on http://www.myemrstimulus.com/bill-expand-eligibility-meaningful-use-incentives/