2011 Meaningful Use attestation qualifies physicians for maximum year one Medicare incentive payments of $18,000 each
The Woodlands, Texas (Feb. 16, 2012) — Physicians at Solano Hematology Oncology in Vallejo, Calif. and Sequoia Regional Cancer Center in Visalia, Calif. have successfully completed 2011 attestation for Meaningful Use of the iKnowMed electronic health record (EHR) system, a product of McKesson Specialty Health developed in collaboration with the physicians of The US Oncology Network. This achievement qualifies the physicians to receive the maximum incentive payment offered in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, but even more important is the positive impact adoption and use of iKnowMed is having on the practices’ efficiency and ability to deliver the highest quality of patient care.
“We took the opportunity to look for an EHR that would be better suited for our practice – not just for meeting Meaningful Use, but to help us be more efficient as a hematology oncology specialty practice for our business and patients,” said Chainarong Limvarapuss, MD and president Solano Hematology Oncology.
The Medicare EHR Incentive Program was established as a part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009. The program offers eligible professionals (EPs) the opportunity to receive incentive payments of $44,000 over five years ($18,000 in year one) for successfully demonstrating Meaningful Use of certified EHR technology. To qualify for the maximum incentive, EPs must begin their reporting period by October 1, 2012.
iKnowMed is a webbased oncologyspecific EHR that has achieved 2011/2012 Complete EHR Certification by an ONCATCB in accordance with Meaningful Use criteria. Although each EHR vendor must become certified, it is ultimately up to each EP to successfully demonstrate Meaningful Use of the technology adopted and implemented. To meet Stage 1 criteria for Meaningful Use, the physicians at Solano Hematology Oncology and Sequoia Regional Cancer Center, with the support of their practice staff, were required to report on 20 of 25 objectives aimed at improving data capture and sharing.
Recently named the top overall EHR vendor among Oncology/Hematology Physicians in the 2012 Black Book Rankings, iKnowMed provides extensive training, support and reporting capabilities to help monitor the EP’s progress and make sure the required thresholds are consistently being met before and during the 90day reporting period required for the first year of participation.
“Meaningful Use is not just a shot in the dark when you are working with McKesson Specialty Health,” said Robert Havard, MD and a physician owner at Sequoia Regional Cancer Center.
“We are very excited for these physicians and their practices,” said Asif Ahmad, senior vice president, Information and Technology Services, McKesson Specialty Health. “They are to be commended for their aggressive pursuit of adoption and meaningful use of an EHR and we are committed to providing the support they need to continue demonstrating Meaningful Use in the years to come.”
About McKesson Specialty Health
McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation, empowers the community patient care delivery system to advance the science, technology and quality of care. Through innovative clinical, research, business and operational solutions facilitated by integrated technology systems, we improve the financial health of our customers and help them provide quality care for patients. For more information, visit www.McKessonspecialtyhealth.com.
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. We partner with payers, hospitals, physician offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medicalsurgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services. For more information, visit www.McKesson.com.
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