With $20 billion at stake the Federal government released two interim rules:

• Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Electronic Health Record Incentive Program
• Standards & Certification Interim Final Rule: Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology

The Electronic Health Record Incentive Program spells out the proposed terms of the the reimbursements healthcare professionals and certain entities can receive by implementing electronic health records.

The Initial Set of Standards rule discusses the concept of “meaningful use”, which is a major component of the incentive program. Healthcare entities must meet certain requirements, like sharing of information and being able to capture specific information from patients.

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