Understanding and Accessing Available
Health Information Technology
Funding for Eligible Providers*

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Information Technology Provisions

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (also known as the Stimulus package or ARRA) includes more than $2 billion designated to building an information technology (IT) infrastructure in America's healthcare system. In addition, it provides financial assistance to eligible providers for their use towards adopting IT solutions. The funding designated to healthcare IT under ARRA is outlined in the law's Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) section.

Eligible Providers Must Select a Certified Electronic Health Record (EHR)

The regulations governing EHR certification, meaningful use, and the selection of organizations that are qualified to certify EHRs are not final, and experts predict that they will not be available until late spring or early summer 2010. Only then can the organizations attempting to become EHR certifying bodies go through the application and testing process for accreditation. The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT), the most experienced certification group in the industry, estimates it will be early fall before the first ARRA certifications of EHR products are possible.

ARRA Medicare Incentives for Eligible Providers Showing EHR Meaningful Use

A maximum amount of $44,000 per eligible provider is available through Medicare incentives if meaningful use can be shown in 2011 or 2012. Payments are available in decreasing amounts through 2015. A maximum amount of $63,500 is available per eligible provider through Medicaid incentives over a five year period between 2011 and 2020. Meaningful use must be shown by 2015 at the latest to qualify. Eligible providers can participate in Medicare or Medicaid incentive programs, but not in both.

*This document does not contain information related to Stimulus funding for hospitals.