Experts: Losses will be minor if you miss 2011 meaningful use deadline

Why This Topic Matters

The piece helps readers gauge how much incentive money may still be available if a practice misses an initial target date and why implementation timing can affect both finances and workflow. It also highlights that the proposed CMS rule could change, which matters for planning and compliance.

Article Sections

1. Meaningful use timing and incentive schedule

   Overview of the early federal incentive timeline and how different start dates affect the amount of potential payment available over multiple years.

2. Implementation concerns and practice impact

   Discussion of scheduling, workflow, and operational considerations for practices adopting an electronic health records system while trying to qualify for incentives.

3. Meaningful use deadline dates and matching incentive payments

   A table summarizing the reporting start dates, payment timing across years, total incentive amounts, and related program notes.