The percentage of CIOs who are members of the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives who expect their organization to qualify for meaningful use incentive payments by April 2011 dropped from 28% in August to 15% in November, according to a new CHIME survey, Health Data Management reports.
Under the 2009 economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments (Goedert, Health Data Management, 12/8).
Thirteen percent of CHIME's membership responded to the new survey, compared with about 11% in the previous survey (Conn, Modern Healthcare, 12/8).
Community Hospitals
The survey found an even greater drop in confidence at the community hospital level. In August, 23% of surveyed CIOs said they believed their organization would qualify for incentive payments by April, compared with only 5% in November.
In addition, 42% of community hospital CIOs in November said they expected to accelerate EHR implementation, up from 24% in August (Health Data Management, 12/8).
Other Key Findings
According to the most recent survey:
- Top concerns to meeting meaningful use were implementing computerized provider order entry systems, capturing and submitting quality measures, and vendor readiness;
- CIOs have fewer concerns associated with EHR certification (Miliard, Healthcare IT News, 12/9); and
- About 38% of respondents remain uncertain about specific aspects of the meaningful use program (Health Data Management, 12/8).
Both surveys found that roughly 10% of respondents expect not to qualify for meaningful use payments until fiscal years 2013 or 2014 (Healthcare IT News, 12/9).