With Electronic Health Records (EHRs), providers can have reliable access to complete personal health information that can help them make the right decisions. This can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are giving your patients the best possible care:
EHR Incentive Programs
The Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs provide incentive payments to eligible professionals and eligible hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade, or demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.
Demonstrating meaningful use of certified EHRs takes time and resources. EPs and hospitals can receive financial support from the CMS. Eligible professionals can qualify for EHR incentive payments totaling as much as $44,000 through the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, or as much as $63,750 through the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.
Through the EHR Incentive Programs, eligible hospitals, including critical access hospitals (CAHs), can qualify for EHR incentive payments that are calculated using a base payment of $2 million, plus a discharge-related amount. Note that final amount may be less than $2 million for some hospitals. Visit this page for a detailed description of the calculation and click on the headline link for more information.
The goal of the Behavioral Health Integration Project (BHIP) is to promote the exchange of health information among behavioral health and medical care providers to achieve better care. Grant activities will help licensed substance abuse and mental health practitioners to better coordinate patient care with their clients’ primary care providers through secure electronic health information exchange. Ensuring appropriate access to relevant patient information, such as current medications and medication history, holds great promise for improving the overall health of patients. Click the headline link to visit the BHIP homepage.
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Do you need technical assistance in implementing an EHR system? The EHR adoption process can be overwhelming. But you don't have to do it alone. The Illinois Regional Extension Centers (RECs) offer local, low-cost, on-the-ground support.
The Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (REC) Program was developed to assist health professionals in implementing and becoming "meaningful users" of electronic health records. Two Illinois consortiums were awarded grants under this program, and they are currently working with thousands of providers across the state in their transitions from paper to electronic records. Click the headline link to learn more about and get in contact with your REC.
Strategic Healthcare IT Advanced Research Projects on Security (SHARPS)
The Illinois Office of Health Information Technology is proud to be collaborating with the Strategic Healthcare IT Advanced Research Projects on Security (SHARPS) on the Illinois Health Information Exchange (ILHIE) technical implementation and addressing the critical need to ensure the safety and privacy of health records exchanged between care providing organizations. For more information on SHARPS, please click the headline link.
Additional Information For Providers and Professionals
ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletters
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, April 2013 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, February 2013 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, December 2012 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, September 2012 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, July 2012 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, May 2012 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, March 2012 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, February 2012 (pdf)
- ILHIE Direct Special Edition Newsletter, February 2012 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, November 2011 (pdf)
- ILHIE Provider and Professional Newsletter, September 2011 (pdf)