Alabama and Missouri recently launched Medicaid electronic health record incentive programs, bringing the number of states participating in the CMS program to 13, Government Health IT reports.
Under the 2009 economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.
States are responsible for administering the Medicaid incentive program, while CMS oversees the Medicare incentive program (Mosquera, Government Health IT, 4/7).
States Slow To Roll Out Programs
Since the Medicaid meaningful use program began in January, states' progress has been slow, Health Data Management reports (Goedert, Health Data Management, 4/7).
According to CMS, states' timelines for launching their incentive programs vary, based on necessary administrative preparations (Government Health IT, 4/7).
Just six of the 13 states that have gone live with their programs have issued incentive payments.
At least 18 states or territories expect to start offering incentive payments sometime in the second half of 2011. However, nine other states and territories still have unknown start dates (Health Data Management, 4/7).