According to a report by iHealthBeat, CMS announced on Tuesday that it has awarded over $9 million in federal matching funds to help four state Medicaid programs prepare to implement the electronic health record incentive program included in the 2009 federal economic stimulus package.

The stimulus package provides a 90% federal match to cover the cost of state planning efforts related to the EHR incentive program (Conn, Modern Healthcare, 5/11).

States also can use the funds to:

• Administer the incentive payments;
• Audit health care providers who receive payments; and
• Promote EHR interoperability (Baton Rouge Advocate, 5/10).

Since November 2009, CMS has awarded nearly $67.6 million in planning grants to 39 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

For the latest round of grants, CMS awarded:

• Louisiana $1.85 million;
• Maryland $1.37 million;
• Minnesota $1.04 million; and
• New Jersey $4.93 million (Modern Healthcare, 5/11).

Published 12 May 2010 - 0 comments (View/Post Comments)   

As most in health care know, health information technology is quickly becoming one of the most important aspects of the industry. There are grants for electronic health record systems, increased research on the benefits of CPOE (computerized physician order entry), and initiatives for health information exchanges among regions, hospitals, and states. 

Another part of health IT that is getting a significant boost is education. Through the Health IT Workforce Program, the goverment will provide several funding opportunities for institutions of higher education to expand health IT by:

• focusing on curriculum development;
• creating education and training programs at community colleges;
• increasing the availability of individuals qualified to serve in specific health IT professional roles requiring university-level training;
• and supporting development and initial administration of a set of health IT competency exams (Health IT and Funding Opportunities)

To read the full article, click here.

Published 04 May 2010 - 0 comments (View/Post Comments)   

The following was published in Health Data Management on January 26, 2010:

Four more states are joining six others and the U.S. Virgin Islands in receiving matching federal planning funds to implement Medicaid incentive payments for meaningful use of electronic health records.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is issuing the funds, authorized under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

States newly awarded funds include Alaska ($900,000), Kentucky ($2.6 million), South Carolina ($1.48 million) and Wisconsin ($1.37 million).

States and territories must submit plans for CMS approval before receiving matching funds. They will use the funds for such activities as analyzing the current status of health information technology, examining barriers to EHR adoption, establishing eligibility for incentives and creating a long-term state Medicaid HIT plan.

Previously awarded funds went to California ($2.48 million), Georgia ($3.17 million), Idaho ($142,000), Iowa ($1.6 million), Montana ($239,000), New York ($5.91 million), Texas ($3.86 million) and Virgin Islands ($232,000).

Published 27 January 2010 - 0 comments (View/Post Comments)   

Published 16 September 2009 - 0 comments (View/Post Comments)   

The American Legacy Foundation is offering grants of up to $100,000 to support new tobacco-control campaigns and research. In addition to the first year funding, grantees are eligible to receive up to 50% of the initial funding amount for the second year. Nonprofits and government agencies based in the District of Columbia or the 46 states and five territories that were party to the 1998 nationwide tobacco settlement may apply for funding. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To learn more, visit the website or contact the American Legacy Foundation directly: 202-454-5555.

Published 16 September 2009 - 0 comments (View/Post Comments)