Recent Jobs Bill Opens EHR Funding to Certain Hospital-Based Physicians - April 28, 2010

The Continuing Extension Act of 2010, H.R. 4871, signed into law by President Obama on April 15, includes new language that will extend electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to certain hospital-based physicians. Under the new law, hospital-based physicians who provide services primarily at hospital outpatient centers and clinics will be eligible for EHR incentives beginning in 2011 (or in 2010 for states that have completed necessary planning activities). Previously, all hospital-based physicians were ineligible from participating in the ARRA EHR program. NAPH, along with other hospital leaders, have been pushing for this change. Several other improvements remain to be made in the EHR incentive program, and NAPH continues to work with other leaders in the hospital industry to encourage CMS to amend its proposed rule.