Nebraska Medicaid Program
Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Incentive Program
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Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Information
In February 2009, Congress enacted the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act ("HITECH"), as part of the federal stimulus package. The legislation included a number of provisions designed to encourage the adoption and use of health information technology, including electronic health records (EHRs) and the development of a health information exchange (HIE) infrastructure to improve health outcomes while providing cost savings efficiencies.
One of the initiatives of this legislation is the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. Under this program, States will distribute incentive payments to qualified Medicaid providers that adopt, implement or upgrade, and meaningfully use, certified EHR technology.
EHR Incentive Program Eligibility, Requirements and Payments
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the final rule for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs on July 28, 2010. This rule outlines the requirements for participation in the programs. A copy of the final rule and up-to-date, detailed information about the programs, including eligibility, payments, meaningful use, and registration, is available on the CMS website:
Eligible Hospital Payment Calculation Information
DHHS will calculate EHR Incentive payment amounts for eligible hospitals, in part, using data from Medicare cost report worksheets. For additional information, please see Provider Bulletin No. 11-15 at http://www.dhhs.ne.gov/med/pb/
DHHS Activities and Timeline
 The SMHP which was submitted to CMS on June 24, 2011, has been approved. Click here to view the current SMHP with revisions. This document describes the implementation of Nebraska’s Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. It also includes an assessment of the current levels of EHR and HIE adoption in the State, the goals for future EHR and HIE adoption, and the methods to attain those goals. In addition, provider surveys with eligible professionals (physicians, dentists, nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants) and hospitals were conducted to help assess the current use of HIT in Nebraska, as well as to estimate eligibility and interest in the EHR Incentive Program. The results of the survey are included as appendixes D and E in the SMHP.
DHHS will be planning to launch the EHR incentive program in May, 2012. We will be posting information on webinar training sessions on this website when these are available. Please subscribe to this web page to receive updates as the launch date approaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is the initial note from the Director on the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program.
To receive notification of updates program activities and timelines, please subscribe to this page.
DHHS Contact
Other Health Information Technology Information and Resources
- Information about state and regional health information exchanges (HIE) and initiatives in Nebraska:
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