What is Meaningful Use?
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical
Health (HITECH) Act is a key component of the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). Under the Act, eligible
prescribers can receive incentive payments by meeting qualitative
and quantitative standards for the 'meaningful use' of a certified
EMR starting in 2011. The Act also makes provisions for incentive
payments to support the acquisition and use of certified EMR
technology for prescribers who see high volumes of Medicaid
patients, and makes federal matching funds available for some state
Medicaid plans for programs that encourage adoption and use of EMR
technology. E-prescribing is a key component of 'meaningful use'.
Prescribers who wish to participate in this program should ensure
that their chosen EMR system includes e-prescribing functionality
that establishes an electronic connection with payers and
pharmacies for Prescription Benefit, Medication History and
Prescription Routing services.
