More than 100,000 primary care providers are adopting certified electronic health records in an effort to improve quality of care and lower costs, the Department of Health and Human Services Office for the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology announced Thursday.
The commitment constitutes more than one-third of all primary care providers nationwide.
Through the commitment, primary care providers will work with their regional extension center to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Health Record Incentive Programs to transfer from paper records.
The Health Information Technology Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, part of the Recovery Act, created a nationwide network of RECs comprised of local nonprofits, to provide guidance and resources to help eligible professionals make the transition from paper records to certified EHRs. Eligible providers that meet meaningful use of certified EHRs criteria are eligible for incentive payments under the Recovery Act.
“The RECs are playing an integral role in helping providers on the path to EHR adoption,” said ONC National Coordinator Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM. “This compelling milestone demonstrates strong interest in adoption and meaningful use among community health centers, small practices, and rural providers that can lead to improvements in health and healthcare.”
