Beginning this week, CMS will begin issuing Medicare EHR Incentive Payments to those providers who have successfully attested to meeting meaningful use.  Eligible Professionals who have met the meaningful use requirements can expect payment of $18,000.  (Note, Eligible Professionals that have not yet met the $24,000 Medicare allowed charges threshold will not receive a check until that threshold is met).  Eligible Hospitals that have attested to meaningful use can also begin to expect their incentive payments.

CMS will issue incentive payments in the same manner as providers receive payments for Medicare services, via electronic funds transfer or check. Payments will be made to the TIN selected during registration for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

For those providers who have not yet registered for the EHR Incentive Program there is still plenty of time in 2011 to do so.  The Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs have launched in some states, with other expecting to launch later this Summer.

For assistance with registering for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program or understanding meaningful use please contact Elana Zana.