Publication
Health Law Checkup – March 2010
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide financial incentives for eligible professionals and hospitals that become "meaningful users" of certified electronic health records (EHR). CMS recently issued proposed incentive program rules that make more than $17 billion available to providers that adopt qualifying EHR technology within specified timeframes, including potential payments of up to $11 million for eligible hospitals and up to $44,000 for eligible professionals. In addition, these new rules propose penalties for Medicare providers who do not become "meaningful users" of HER technology by 2015. Therefore, we believe these incentive programs will be a major factor in healthcare provider strategic planning decisions in the future. Set forth below is important information for receiving funds under these programs.
About Snell & Wilmer
Founded in 1938, Snell & Wilmer is a full-service business law firm with more than 500 attorneys practicing in 16 locations throughout the United States and in Mexico, including Los Angeles, Orange County and San Diego, California; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; Denver, Colorado; Washington, D.C.; Boise, Idaho; Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Portland, Oregon; Dallas, Texas; Salt Lake City, Utah; Seattle, Washington; and Los Cabos, Mexico. The firm represents clients ranging from large, publicly traded corporations to small businesses, individuals and entrepreneurs. For more information, visit swlaw.com.