Nearly 57% of U.S. office-based physicians used any type of electronic health record system in 2011, up from about 51% in 2010 and about 48% in 2009, according to a CDC National Center for Health Statistics data brief.
Preliminary 2011 estimates show that the percentage of office-based physicians using any type of EHR system ranged from 40% in Louisiana to 84% in North Dakota.
According to the data brief, about 52% of office-based physicians in 2011 reported that they intended to apply for Medicare or Medicaid EHR incentive payments, compared with about 41% in 2010.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR systems can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments.
Results are based on data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey.
Source: NCHS: "Electronic Health Record Systems and Intent to Apply for Meaningful Use Incentives Among Office-based Physician Practices: United States, 2001-2011"