The ARRA 2009 provides substantial stimulus expenditures to the healthcare IT industry - $20 billion for the development and adoption of HIT. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is the bread and butter concern of the health information technology marketplace.
Government initiatives and cost concerns are key drivers of EMR and will continue to drive purchases of EMR systems in the near future. The major portion $ 17 billion (approx.) – is for the incentive payments through the Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement systems to encourage physicians and hospitals to implement EHR/EMR technology systems. These incentives are triggered when the physician or the hospital becomes a 'meaningful EHR user'. Payments are paid over time with large payments in the early years and lower payments over time. On the other hand, penalties are to be faced by the providers if they do not become meaningful users of EHR by 2015.
Hence, it has become critical for both HIT companies with EHR/EMR products and provider organizations to go for certification of their EMR products/systems to take advantage of the ARRA mandates as well as comply with federal regulations.
The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT®) is an independent, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) since 2006 as an official certification body for electronic health records (EHR). Its public mission is to accelerate the adoption of robust, interoperable health information technology. Health IT companies may choose to certify their EHR technology either in CCHIT's comprehensive certification programs or in CCHIT's new programs that only inspect technology against federal minimum standards developed by HHS for ARRA. CCHIT's comprehensive programs are designed to offer providers more assurance about the EHR's suitability for their use and the company's track record in real implementations. Whichever level of assurance providers choose, to qualify for ARRA incentive funding they must be able to demonstrate meaningful use of EHR technology using certified EHR technology. More information on CCHIT and CCHIT Certified® products is available at http://www.cchit.org
Apart from the federal regulations, around 21 state governments till date have started enacting some form of EHR adoption program where incentives are provided for adoption of EHR/EMR technologies by physicians, hospitals and other healthcare service providers.