Electronic Health Records: Resources

EHR Meaningful Use Details Released

Neurologists now have the details they have been eagerly awaiting on how they can qualify for incentives for the meaningful use of EHRs. The government released on July 13 final rules on the incentives and standards for meaningful use of electronic health record (EHR) technology.

Neurology practices can begin participating in 2011 and earn up to $44,000 in incentive payments for the Medicare program over five years.

Key points of the rules include:

• Physicians have to meet 15 core objectives and choose an additional five objectives from a menu of 10 options. The Academy advocated for this more flexible approach, rather than the proposal to require physicians meet all 25 objectives.
• Physicians must report on three core clinical quality measures (related to blood pressure management, tobacco use and weight) as well as three additional quality measures that they may choose from a list of 38. The Academy successfully advocated that neurologists not be limited to a set of specialty-specific measures.

The Academy will continue to publish details about how neurologists can participate in the program. For questions, contact Amanda Becker at abecker@aan.com.

Academy Comments on Meaningful Use

The AAN submitted comments in March on two federal rules that begin to lay out the requirements for physicians to qualify for incentives for "meaningful use" of electronic health record (EHR) technology.
The letter addresses neurology-specific concerns. The AAN also signed on to a more detailed AMA letter that more broadly addressed the rules. To learn more about meaningful use requirements, attend Web Wonders at the 2010 Annual Meeting. A recording of the "How to Earn $44,000 in EHR Incentives" webinar will be available in late April.

Clinician's Guide Issued by AMA

"A clinician's guide to electronic prescribing," has been issued by the AMA, a steering group of clinicians, consumers, employers, health plans, pharmacies, and four major medical associations. This is the first comprehensive "how-to" guide to help clinicians make informed decisions about how and when to transition from paper to electronic prescribing systems. The guide also provides a list of key references and resources readers may consult to help make the transition to e-prescribing as smooth as possible.

Read a related article about e-prescribing

Physicians' Electronic Health Record Coalition (PEHRC)

AAN is a member of the PEHRC, whose mission is "to assist physicians, particularly those in small- and medium-sized ambulatory practices, to acquire and use affordable, standards-based electronic health records, and other health information technology for the purposes of improving quality, enhancing patient safety, and increasing efficiency." AAN representatives attend the bimonthly PEHRC meetings.
Learn more at www.pehrc.org.