Massachusetts and New Jersey have awarded a combined $54.6 million in federal Medicaid incentives for the meaningful use of electronic health records, Becker's Hospital Review reports.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHRs can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments (Herman, Becker's Hospital Review, 2/10).
Massachusetts Incentive Payments
The Massachusetts Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Institute of Massachusetts said they have distributed $14.6 million in Medicaid incentives payments under the meaningful use program.
Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick (D) said the incentive payments went to 15 hospitals and 12 health care professionals (Monahan, Telegram & Gazette, 2/10).
New Jersey Incentive Payments
The New Jersey Department of Human Services has announced it distributed $40 million in Medicaid incentives for the meaningful use of EHRs.
The funds went to 30 hospitals and 40 physician practices (Livio, Newark Star-Ledger, 2/10).