As has been well reported, the EHR Incentive program commenced on January 2, 2011 with the acceptance of initial provider enrollment applications. The program is designed to encourage the usage of electronic health records with both Medicare and Medicaid programs. The Medicare side is in full swing. However, Medicaid is dependent on state coordination and program development. Unfortunately not all of them are ready to go. Only eleven states have developed their EHR incentive programs. They are:

Alaska                               Iowa

Kentucky                          Louisiana

Oklahoma                          Michigan

Mississippi                          North Carolina

South Carolina                   Tennessee

Texas

In matter of fact, Kentucky and Oklahoma have already made payments under the program. Kentucky made an initial payment to the University of Kentucky’s medical school and the state of Oklahoma made payments to two physicians at the Gastorf Family Clinic in Durant. The University received a payment of $2.9 million and the two doctors received $21,250 each.

Provider enrollment applications for the incentive program are scheduled to begin in February in three additional states: California, Missouri and North Dakota. The remaining states will likely not launch their programs until this spring or summer.

Aside from installing an certified EHR system, all participates must have an enrollment record in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS). To enroll in PECOS you need an NPI, Tax ID number and must fill out the online application. Upon completion of the online form, a signed Certification Statement and supporting documentation must be submitted. Assuming the application is clean it will take 30-60 days from that point to get the necessary approvals.

To take advantage of the incentive monies offered by the program and given the time frames involved it’s important to begin the PECOS provider enrollment process as soon as possible. It’s not a linear progression however and you are permitted enroll in the EHR incentive program without an EHR system installed or PECOS enrollment established but, of course, you won’t be eligible for payment until those two steps are completed.