HIT Resource Center - Why Do I Need HIT

E-prescribing: removes the old methods of faxing or printing paper prescriptions by providing electronic communication between physicians and pharmacies involving new prescriptions, refills, change requests, and prescription fill messages to track patient compliance.

EHR - electronic health records: replaces old paper-based patient information into a comprehensive electronic system. Many EHR technologies have an e-prescribing feature within the overall system.

HIE - health information exchange: data sharing of patient information among health care providers, facilities, and government organizations to improve health care delivery and information gathering.

For a complete list on the various types of health IT available, visit the AMA's HIT Basics page.

The North Carolina Medical Society Foundation (NCMSF) provides consulting services to specialty practices seeking assistance with Health Information Technology decision making and implementation. For more information on these services or assistance with meeting Meaningful Use requirements, please contact Terri Gonzalez, tgonzalez@ncmedsoc.org, (919) 833-3836 ext. 123.

Why should practices utilize health information technology such as electronic health records (EHR)?

1. Improved quality of care - EHR improves the quality of patient care by providing patient care reports that allow for quality patient follow-up;
   
2. Greater reimbursement - EHR can improve clinical documentation to support higher levels of coding that increases reimbursement;
   
3. Increased efficiency - EHR can improve the practice's workflow;
   
4. Easier access to information - by transitioning from paper-based processes to more efficient electronic processes, physicians and staff have easier access to information regarding their patients;
   
5. Financial incentives - With the enactment of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, instituting electronic health records within practices can provide financial incentives to reward practices that achieve meaningful use of electronic health technology.

1. What is "Meaningful Use"?
   The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 specifies three main components of Meaningful Use:
   • The use of a certified EHR in a meaningful manner, such as e-prescribing.
   • The use of certified EHR technology for electronic exchange of health information to improve quality of health care.
   • The use of certified EHR technology to submit clinical quality and other measures.
   For more information on meaningful use click here.
   
   
2. How and why should I implement Electronic Health Records for my practice?
   CMS has answers for you here.
   
   
3. Now that I have an EHR, how do I meet the Meaningful Use criteria?
   If you are a member of the NCMS you can receive assistance from the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation – call us at 919-833-3836 ext 123. To review all the necessary requirements please go to: http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/EP-MU-TOC.pdf.
   
   
4. Where can primary care practices receive assistance with meaningful use?
   Primary Care Practices can receive assistance from the Regional Extension Centers – click here to register for services - http://www.ahecqualitysource.com/
   
   
5. For the 2011 payment year, how and when will incentive payments be made?
   For eligible professionals (EPs), incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program will be made approximately four to eight weeks after an EP successfully attests that they have demonstrated meaningful use of certified EHR technology. However, EPs will not receive incentive payments within that timeframe if they have not yet met the threshold for allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the year.Click here for more information (PDF).
   
   
6. Is my EHR vendor's product certified for Meaningful Use?
   Visit the T Certified HIT Product List (CHPL) to find out.

• Medicare EHR Incentive Program Registration & Attestation System - Register for CMS Medicare incentives on this site.
  
• Medicaid Incentive Program
  
• National ePrescribing Patient Safety Initiative - see how this program can help you avoid the 2012 CMS Medicare penalty for not eprescribing (free).
  
• NC AHEC - primary care practices can receive assistance from AHECs to achieve meaningful use of your EHR

• HIT Funding for Technical Assistance
  
• Implementing Meaningful Use of EHR
  
• NC Initiatives and Activities
  
• EHR: Unpacking the Meaningful Use Final Rule
  
• Training Your Staff on an EHR
  
• Meaningful Use & PCMH - Two Big Initiatives that Work Great Together