Notice of Proposed Rule Making moves healthcare industry closer to securing ARRA stimulus payments

NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Quality Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: QSII) and a leading provider of healthcare and connectivity solutions, today commented that the Notice of Proposed Rule Making issued last week on electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs moves the healthcare industry closer to securing American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus payments for healthcare IT adoption. The company noted, however, that further guidance will be needed to lead medical providers through the requirements to become meaningful users of EHRs. To help navigate the criteria, NextGen Healthcare has produced new educational resources for providers and opened its Community Forum for discussion, questions and comments on the rule.

“The proposed rule should give doctors, particularly those that have not yet decided to implement an EHR, some comfort with the path to qualifying as meaningful users and obtaining the government’s incentive reimbursements”

“The proposed rule should give doctors, particularly those that have not yet decided to implement an EHR, some comfort with the path to qualifying as meaningful users and obtaining the government’s incentive reimbursements,” said Scott Decker, President of NextGen Healthcare. “But first, more guidance is needed to build trust and understanding of healthcare automation ― from how to purchase the right EHR, to product implementation, training, and cultural change in an automated practice environment. NextGen Healthcare also encourages providers to comment on the newly released criteria in our Community Forum and to leverage our other online resources to become more informed and prepared to adopt and effectively use health information technology.”

NextGen Healthcare’s latest resources include:

• Getting to Meaningful Use. In this online guide, NextGen Healthcare walks providers through six critical steps toward becoming meaningful users of EHRs, including tips and advice on: researching EHRs; what to look for in product demos; planning a timeline for selection and implementation of the EHR; and preparing their staff for change.
• Multimedia and Education Portal. To help providers understand and maximize opportunities created by the ARRA, NextGen Healthcare’s Inside Health Reform online portal offers case studies, videos, a series of free educational webinars and white papers, FAQs, and an EHR revenue improvement calculator. The next webinar will be held Tuesday, January 19, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. EST. The agenda will include an initial analysis of meaningful use criteria and key takeaways for medical providers. Interested participants can register for the webinar online.

• NextGen Community Forum. A public discussion board has been opened on NextGen.com for providers to post their comments and questions about meaningful use criteria. NextGen Healthcare will incorporate the feedback in its official response to CMS. Providers can also use the public forum to ask about products and learn best practices from peers and NextGen Healthcare experts to address the latest industry challenges.
• Support for Grants and Funding Opportunities. NextGen Healthcare is the only EHR vendor to help its clients identify and apply for appropriate grant opportunities through its Grants Resources Center. Clients can find valuable information and work with NextGen Healthcare to assess their opportunity to participate in “Beacon Communities,” “SHARP,” and other funding being made available as part of ARRA. Prospective clients can also learn about grant opportunities and NextGen Healthcare’s support while evaluating potential use of the company’s products.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Notice of Proposed Rule Making on meaningful use of EHRs on December 30, 2009, outlining the standards and certification requirements for healthcare providers to receive a portion of the over $50 billion economic stimulus funding dedicated to accelerating healthcare IT adoption by the medical community. A public comment period is open through March 13, 2010, after which CMS will issue a final rule.