Kentucky and Oklahoma have become the first states to issue Medicaid incentive payments to health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records, Healthcare IT News reports.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs will qualify for incentive payments through Medicare and Medicaid.
First Payment Details
In Kentucky, the University of Kentucky Healthcare received $2.8 million and Central Baptist Hospital in Lexington received $1.3 million from the Medicaid incentive program. The two hospitals were the first in the U.S. to receive checks under the stimulus package (Merrill, Healthcare IT News, 1/6).
Twenty-five additional health care providers in Kentucky have started the application process, according to the state (Business First of Louisville, 1/6).
In Oklahoma, two physicians at the Gastorf Family Clinic in Durant each received $21,250 under the Medicaid EHR incentive program.
Other States Prepare for Payments
Iowa and Louisiana are expected to become the next states to administer Medicaid incentive payments for the meaningful use of EHRs, according to CMS (Healthcare IT News, 1/6).
In addition to those four states, Medicaid programs now accepting registration for incentive payments are:
- Alaska;
- Michigan;
- Mississippi;
- North Carolina;
- South Carolina;
- Tennessee; and
- Texas.
In February, registration will open in:
- California;
- Missouri; and
- North Dakota.
Other states plan to launch their incentive programs on a rolling basis during the spring and summer (Goedert, Health Data Management, 1/6).