In addition to the government’s stimulus incentives, e-prescription incentives, and electronic health record (EHR) subsidies, physicians may also receive Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) incentive payments from CMS equal to 2% of total estimated Medicare Part B PFS allowed charges during the reporting period for 2010.

To participate in the 2010 PQRI, practices must report information on individual PQRI quality measures or measures groups. An easy and quick way to submit required information is directly from EHR software.

However, the software needs to be “qualified” by CMS for electronic submission. Currently, only seven EHR systems have been qualified by CMS for electronic reporting purposes.

In order to qualify, each EHR vendor went through a thorough process to check the capability of providing the required PQRI data elements for 10 PQRI measures. These “qualified” EHRs capture the required data for the measure calculation, but also transmit the required information in the requested file format.

Products that have not been qualified by CMS may claim similar capabilities, but CMS cannot guarantee that these other products will be compatible for EHR based submission for PQRI.

Luckily, Healthcare DPS offers an EHR that has been qualified for electronic submissions, allowing physicians to easily submit for both PQRI and e-prescription incentives provided by CMS.

For more information, please contact 877-423-7701 or visit www.healthcaredps.com.

For more detailed PQRI information, please visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri/

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Before 2009 ended, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed the definition of “meaningful use” for electronic health record (EHR) technology and outlined the provisions for EHR incentive program qualifications.

The initial proposal defines standards to ensure an accurate and secure exchange of health information across a variety of EHR systems, as well as formats for clinical summaries and prescriptions, and terms to describe clinical problems, procedures and tests.

The regulations are a foundation for improving quality, efficiency, and safety through meaningful use of electronic health record technology.

“These regulations are closely linked,” said Charlene Frizzera, CMS acting administrator.  “CMS’s proposed regulation would define and specify how to demonstrate ‘meaningful use’ of EHR technology, which is a prerequisite for receiving the Medicare incentive payments.  Our rule also outlines the proposed payment methodologies for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs.  ONC’s regulation sets forth the standards and specifications that will enhance the interoperability, functionality, utility and security of health information technology.”

The incentives are scheduled to take begin October 1, 2011. Experts say providers should not waste time because there is a shortage of experts available to help. Healthcare DPS is fully versed in Electronic Health Record technology and has the software and ability to assist healthcare professionals in meeting the necessary requirements to collect incentives.

For more information, please contact 877-423-7701 or visit www.healthcaredps.com.

To read the full Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program document, click the following link http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-31217_PI.pdf

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Based on current annual adjustments, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) projected a -21.5% rate reduction in 2010 to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).
The continuous negative updates have been a constant issue. To combat the reductions, CMS announced proposed changes to policies and payment rates for the 2010 MPFS, with expectations of increasing rates for primary care services.

CMS proposed to refine practice expenses, eliminate payment for consultation codes, and revisit treatment of malpractice premiums. These changes may increase payments to general practitioners, family physicians, internists, and geriatric specialists by between 6-8% which may reduce the number of years that physicians experience a loss.

Even with the potential reform to payment rate, physicians need ways to increase revenues while reducing costs in order to receive the maximum return for their hard work. Healthcare DPS offers various solutions to bring a practice to its fullest potential, allowing physicians to work efficiently while enhancing revenue and decreasing costs. For more information regarding Healthcare DPS offerings, please visit

www.healthcaredps.com

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With the passage of Obama’s stimulus package, physicians gain additional incentive in the form of US government funding. The funding is designed to accelerate Electronic Health Record (EHR) use, ultimately increasing the quality of patient care by reducing cost, enhancing revenue, and optimizing efficiency. In order to begin receiving the incentive payment being offered by the government, healthcare professionals must implement a certified electronic health record system. One particularly enticing incentive in the stimulus package is the 2% Medicare reimbursement which is available to all providers who use an e-Prescription software such as E-Prescribe.

Healthcare DPS offers a CCHIT Certified® EHR solution that includes e-Prescription thus allowing its clients to take advantage of the 2% Medicare reimbursement. Aside from the cost savings, the benefits of using e-Prescription include: creating prescriptions quickly and easily, improving patient safety, reducing adverse drug interactions and ensuring correct dosages.

In addition to e-Prescription, the Healthcare DPS EHR solution includes many other features including: Document Management, Drug Interaction Alerts, e-Labs, e-Radiology, Encounter Notes & Template Creation, Patient Charts, Disease Management, Care Plans, Continuing Care Documents, Patient Portals & Handouts, and Remote Access.              

All of these great features are incorporated into a user-friendly system that has the functionality and flexibility to suite the way your practice works best; the application adapts to your current workflow and integrates into existing practice management and billing software. The easy-to-use features increase efficiency allowing workers to focus on more personalized patient care rather than tedious paperwork.

The Healthcare DPS EHR system meets your practice’s expectations of being an affordable and simple transition to paperless records, ultimately saving time and money, and providing enhanced patient care. For details regarding Electronic Health Records, please visit: http://www.healthcaredps.com/practice-management-and-ehr.html

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