Fewer eligible health care professionals registered for the meaningful use program in April than in March, according to new data from CMS, Modern Healthcare reports.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.
Data on Eligible Professionals
The new data showed that the total number of eligible professionals who submitted registrations for the Medicaid and Medicare incentive programs in April was 12,228, down by 12% from March.
Although the number eligible professionals who registered for the Medicare incentive program increased by 13% in April, that increase was offset by a 36% decline in eligible professionals who registered for the Medicaid incentive program, the CMS data showed.
According to CMS, the total number of eligible professionals registered for the meaningful use program now is at 234,570, 84% of whom are physicians. Other eligible professionals include dentists, optometrists and podiatrists.
Additional Data
The CMS data showed that 86 hospitals registered for the Medicare and Medicaid incentive programs in April, bringing the total number of registered hospitals to 3,569.
According to CMS, more than $5 billion in incentive payments has been paid out under the two EHR incentive programs, including:
$3.34 billion that has gone to hospitals; and
$1.68 billion that has gone to eligible professionals (Conn, Modern Healthcare, 6/4).
