decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2012 Issue 4 (April)
Subsidies help physicians adopt EHR, but it could be at a cost
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Article Overview
This article explains how hospitals, health plans, and other entities are offering financial help to physicians adopting electronic health record systems, and why those offers may come with operational and relationship tradeoffs. It is relevant to physician practices, practice managers, compliance staff, and others evaluating EHR adoption support, incentive-payment timing, and the general regulatory backdrop for subsidy arrangements.
Why This Topic Matters
EHR adoption can affect workflow, costs, incentive eligibility, and future payment adjustments, while subsidy arrangements may influence vendor choice, interoperability, and practice autonomy. The article also places these programs in the context of Stark law and anti-kickback considerations, making it useful for practices assessing both business and compliance implications.
Article Sections
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EHR adoption and incentive landscape
Overview of physician EHR adoption trends, incentive payments, and the relevance of upcoming payment adjustments. Sets up why practices may be considering adoption now.
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Plans use subsidies to increase EHR
Discussion of how insurers and other organizations are using financial support programs to encourage adoption. Includes examples of participating organizations and the general market response.
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Watch for strings with subsidies
Explores business and relationship tradeoffs that may accompany subsidy offers. Addresses the importance of evaluating long-term fit, interoperability, and practice independence at a high level.
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Stark law exception allows subsidy
Summarizes the federal compliance context for certain EHR donation-style programs and notes that eligibility depends on regulatory requirements and time-limited authorization.
What You Will Learn
- How EHR subsidy programs are being used to encourage physician adoption
- What kinds of practice tradeoffs may be associated with accepting EHR financial assistance
- How EHR adoption incentives and payment changes affect physician decision-making
- Why federal fraud-and-abuse rules matter for EHR subsidy arrangements
Who Should Read This
- Physicians
- Practice managers
- Medical group administrators
- Compliance officers
- Healthcare consultants
- Revenue cycle and practice operations staff
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