A new coalition called the Association of Regional Centers for Health IT -- or ARCH-IT -- has been formed to represent the 62 federally supported regional extension centers that support health IT adoption, CMIO reports (Walsh, CMIO, 6/21).
About RECs
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.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT tasked the nation's 62 RECs with helping 100,000 health care providers meet meaningful use criteria. RECs provide services such as:
- Assessments on workflow and practice patterns;
- Assistance with EHR implementation;
- EHR training and best practices; and
- Guidance on meaningful use attestation (iHealthBeat, 11/18/11).
About ARCH-IT
According to CMIO, the launch of ARCH-IT comes at a significant time because no federal support for RECs is slated after 2013 (CMIO, 6/21).
The new association aims to:
- Complement activity in the health IT sector; and
- Promote efficiency in clinical processes, operations and finances through the use of health IT (CMIO, 6/21).