MAXIMUS launches Meaningful Use Solutions to help states develop, implement EHR incentive programs

MAXIMUS, Inc. (NYSE:MMS), a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today that it has launched its Meaningful Use Solutions to help states develop and implement their Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive programs.

“The Impact of Meaningful Use on Health Reform”

In order to encourage "meaningful use" of health information technology (HIT) among providers, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and the HITECH Act provided approximately $35 billion in funding for states to promote EHRs adoption and to create Health Information Exchanges (HIEs). Under HITECH, eligible health care professionals and hospitals can receive Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt and demonstrate the meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Those states that quickly enable EHR adoption through approved State Medicaid HIT Plans (SMHPs) and Implementation Advance Planning Documents (I-APDs) will be eligible to receive federal dollars. In addition, the adoption of EHRs is a core component of sustainable statewide HIE implementations.

Highlights of the MAXIMUS Meaningful Use Solutions for states include:

• Project management support for Regional Extension Centers (RECs) as they manage award requirements and select and oversee technology product implementation
• Assistance developing and support implementing a viable SMHP to achieve the state's future vision of HIT
• Creation of provider education programs, outreach and training plans, and metrics that support provider EHR adoption and meaningful use
• Independent assessment and validation support to HIEs and RECs for providers that are implementing EHRs and are required to demonstrate the meaningful use of technology
• Oversight and audit services for HIEs and RECs to ensure that the adoption, implementation and upgrade of EHRs meet meaningful use requirements

"It is anticipated that $10 billion will be distributed by Medicaid agencies as incentive payments to providers for adopting and becoming meaningful users of EHRs. In addition to distributing the incentives, states are responsible for ensuring oversight, conducting audits, determining whether meaningful use was met, and verifying that there is no duplication between Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments," commented Bruce Caswell, President and General Manager of MAXIMUS Health Services. "Our Meaningful Use Solutions can help state Medicaid programs develop effective administration, oversight and audit of their EHR incentive programs to ensure program requirements are met and incentive payments are accurate and distributed in a timely manner."

MAXIMUS will offer an informational webinar on meaningful use titled, "The Impact of Meaningful Use on Health Reform," this Friday, August 27^th from 1:00 to 2:00 PM (ET). The webinar will explore the critical roles of EHRs and HIEs in the anticipated health care environment. The one-hour webinars is a continuation of the MAXIMUS Webinar Series focused on health care reform and will include a discussion forum for questions and answers.