The American Medical Association and 81 state and specialty medical societies told federal officials last week that proposed milestones for the physician installation of electronic health records is too aggressive because physicians “lack the necessary infrastructure, standards, and systems” to achieve the council’s proposed timetable.
The Massachusetts Medical Society was one of the state medical societies co-signing the letter.
The letter proposes a detailed alternate timetable that “is aimed at ensuring that the bar is not set too high or too low; one that is reasonable and ensures that all eligible physicians in all size practices and specialties are able to take advantage of the incentives specified” in the stimulus bill.
The letter states that the path to widespread use of EHRs should last several years. It also stated that specific check points should be met before moving from one implementation phase to the next. “This check point will help ensure not only physician readiness and the capacity of the system to meet these goals,” said the letter, “but will also help assure continued access to safe, quality care for patients.”
The federal stimulus bill signed into law earlier this year gives physicians up to $44,000 in Medicaid or Medicare incentives starting in 2012 if they can demonstrate a “meaningful use” of electronic health records. Physicians and hospitals have been awaiting the specific definition of “meaningful use” since then. The Health Information Technology Council, a new entity created by the stimulus bill, released its proposed timeline on June 16 and accepted comments through June 26.
The council will now review the comments and is expected to issue final standards by the end of the year.
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