Federal officials have created a permanent pathway for health information technology developers to get their products certified under the new Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs.
In a final rule issued on Jan. 3, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology spelled out the criteria that products must meet starting in 2012. EHR products are currently being certified through a temporary program that will sunset once the permanent program is up and running, likely in early 2012.
The new permanent certification program requires organizations to be accredited in order to test or certify health information technology products. The certification bodies, which will be authorized by the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, are required to conduct post-certification surveillance.
The availability of certified EHR products will pave the way for physicians, hospitals, and other eligible providers to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive programs. Physicians can earn up to $44,000 over 5 years under the Medicare program and about $63,000 over 6 years under the Medicaid program.
Registration for the new program began on Jan. 3.