New HIT ‘extension centers' could help you achieve meaningful use

Article Overview

This article explains the purpose of health information technology regional extension centers (RECs) and how they are being organized to help practices adopt electronic health records and work toward meaningful use. It covers the kinds of support these centers may offer, differences in local funding and business models, and the role of federal oversight in approving operational plans. The piece is relevant to physician practices, administrators, and health IT stakeholders evaluating implementation support and incentive-related guidance.