Louisiana is the first state in the nation to issue an incentive payment to a Medicaid eligible professional (EP) for demonstrating meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals made the payment to the Winn Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center (FQHC), on behalf of three EPs. The Winn Community Health Center, a small rural community center staffed by a physician, a nurse practitioner, and a physician’s assistant, was also the first FQHC in Louisiana to enroll with the state health information exchange (HIE). 

Through the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, EPs and eligible hospitals can receive a payment during their first year of participation for adopting, implementing, or upgrading to certified EHR technology. They must demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology in ways that can be measured significantly in both quality and in quantity to receive continued payments after their first year. Medicaid EPs can earn a total of $63,000 over six years. 

More than 76,000 providers have already received a Medicare or Medicaid EHR incentive payment for successfully adopting, implementing, upgrading, or demonstrating meaningful use of EHRs. Of the total providers paid, more than 30,000 of them participated in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. As more Medicaid EPs begin their second year of the EHR Incentive Program and achieve meaningful use in 2012, thousands of additional providers will receive their EHR incentive payments. Visit the CMS YouTube page for stories from providers about their experiences with meaningful use.

Want more information about the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.