INPUT's newly released report, Electronic Health Record Incentive Funding and the Certification Program, examines the health information technology (HIT) marketplace and the electronic health record (EHR) incentive payment program, and forecasts the state and local EHR spend from 2010-2015. Highlights include:

• HIT grant programs established in the economic stimulus package
• Review of notice of proposed rulemaking for meaningful use
• Health IT certification program analysis
• Key players in the health IT market
• Health IT INPUT opportunities
• Recommendations for vendors

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) allocated an unprecedented amount of health IT funding that provided momentum to assemble stakeholders and mobilize states. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) section of the stimulus package established the Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments program for the meaningful use of certified EHR technology by providers. Industry reports estimate the federal government will spend approximately $19 billion to $36 billion in payments.

Meaningful use criteria and the newly-defined, two-tier EHR certification program will serve as integral pieces in health care reform when linked to policy changes and payer reform. States, localities, and regional extension centers are moving quickly to capitalize on EHR incentive funding and will continue to seek technical assistance from consultants, systems integrators, IT equipment providers, and software and services providers along the way.

INPUT will host a webinar Thursday, August 12, 2010 coinciding with the release of the EHR report. Please contact your member advisor if you are not able to obtain the report.