The federal government has distributed more than $653 million to health care providers participating in the meaningful use incentive program, according to data from CMS, Modern Healthcare reports.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.
Details of the Incentives Paid
Of the $653 million distributed under the meaningful use program, CMS paid $389 million through the Medicaid incentive program and $264 million through the Medicare incentive program. The Medicare program has more stringent eligibility requirements, Modern Healthcare reports.
Eligible hospitals can qualify for incentives under both the Medicaid and Medicare incentive programs, but eligible health care professionals can register for only one program.
The CMS data also show that:
- $262.2 million in Medicaid incentives have been paid to 294 hospitals registered as eligible for both the Medicare and Medicaid incentive programs;
- $226 million in Medicare incentives have been paid to 114 hospitals registered for the Medicare incentive program;
- $93.9 million in Medicaid incentives have been paid to 4,463 physicians and eligible health care professionals;
- $38.3 million in Medicare incentives have been paid to 2,129 physicians and eligible health care professionals; and
- $32.9 million in incentives have been paid to 15 hospitals registered solely under state-administered Medicaid incentive programs (Conn, Modern Healthcare, 9/22).