The Ambulatory Surgery Center Association recently sent a letter to CMS to express concern over the inclusion of ASC patient encounters in determining whether physicians are "meaningful users" of EHRs, according to an ASCA release.
If a physician sees a patient at a surgery center, the patient encounter is counted in determination of whether a physician is a meaningful user of EHRs under the CMS HITECH EHR incentive/penalty program. When the EHR program is fully implemented, non-meaningful users can be penalized.
The letter points out that the policy will unfairly penalize physicians who treat patients at surgery centers that do not implement EHRs because, unlike other healthcare providers, ASCs cannot receive incentive payments to install them.
Learn more about the ASC Association.
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If a physician sees a patient at a surgery center, the patient encounter is counted in determination of whether a physician is a meaningful user of EHRs under the CMS HITECH EHR incentive/penalty program. When the EHR program is fully implemented, non-meaningful users can be penalized.
The letter points out that the policy will unfairly penalize physicians who treat patients at surgery centers that do not implement EHRs because, unlike other healthcare providers, ASCs cannot receive incentive payments to install them.
Learn more about the ASC Association.
Related Articles on Surgery Centers and Health IT:
New HIPAA Fines Can Be Seven Figures
Dr. Flora Lum on Ophthalmology EHRs: Interoperability is Key
Trends & Developments Shaping IT in Surgery Centers: Q&A With Scott Palmer of SourceMedical