Local Medi-Cal Providers Receive Millions in Cash Incentives for Moving toward Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs)

OAKLAND, Calif., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Incentive payments totaling more than $7 million are being sent to hundreds of California physicians for completing the first steps toward achieving federally-mandated "meaningful use" of electronic health records, according to CalHIPSO.

CalHIPSO is a federally designated organization established to help California doctors achieve meaning use of certified EHR technology in ways that can be measured significantly in quality and in quantity for improved healthcare.

The incentive payments are recognition that the medical practices have completed the Adopt, Upgrade or Implementation (AIU) process.

"This recognition doesn't necessarily mean they have fully implemented EHRs in their practices," explained Speranza Avram, Chief Executive Officer of CalHIPSO. "It means the physicians have demonstrated that they have Adopted: acquired, purchased or secured access to; Implemented: installed or commenced utilization of, or Upgraded to certified EHR technology in order to qualify for an incentive payment. This is no small accomplishment."

Avram added: "EHR implementation in California is well underway, with over 7,700 providers in various stages of progress within CalHIPSO's membership." She also noted that more than $65 millions dollars in incentive payments will be distributed in the months ahead to physicians who meet AIU requirements.

Among those receiving the first EHR adoption incentive payments in May were four CalHIPSO members:

• Solo rural provider: Dr. Deborah Higer, Mt. Shasta  - $21,250
• Small practice: Dr. Kwan-Sian Chen, Fremont - $21,250
• Small practice: Dr. Carmelita Nisperos, Manteca - $21,250
• Family Health Care Network (Clinic in Visalia) - $573,750

Background

The technical assistance program is administered in California (excluding Orange and LA counties) by CalHIPSO, is one of 62 federally designated Regional Extension Centers (REC) and the largest REC in the country.

An REC is an organization funded under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH Act) to assist health care providers with the selection and implementation of electronic health record (EHR) technology.

Providers who sign up to receive subsidized services through CalHIPSO will receive assistance with demonstrating Meaningful Use in order to begin receiving federal incentive payments.

CalHIPSO delivers its subsidized technical services to providers through contracts with 10 Local Extension Centers (LEC) around the state that bring health information technology (HIT) expertise to local communities.

SOURCE CalHIPSO