Quest Diagnostics donates EHRs to needy areas
Diagnostic testing services provider Quest Diagnostics will donate EHR software and services to physicians in small practices serving minority populations in Houston, according to the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of Minority Health.
The initiative is intended to foster broader adoption and use of EHRs and support national efforts to reduce health disparities affecting minorities, HHS stated.
Madison, N.J.-based Quest Diagnostics and its subsidiary, MedPlus, will donate approximately 75 EHR licenses, including subscription fees, for 12 months and will help integrate the necessary IT components within participating physician practices, HHS stated in a release. The companies will collaborate with the federally funded regional extension center (REC) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston on staff education and training, HHS stated.
Quest Diagnostics and MedPlus will donate approximately 85 percent of the cost of health provider EHR licenses, program integration, monthly subscription fees and education and training.
Other partners include the National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved, a Washington, D.C.-based public, private and community partnership that supports the effective use of health information in underserved populations with emphasis on communities of color, the Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society Latino Initiative Workgroup and Medic Success, a New Jersey company that promotes health-related solutions for underserved communities. These groups will assist in physician recruitment, HHS added.
A healthcare provider who wishes to participate in this initiative must:
The initiative is intended to foster broader adoption and use of EHRs and support national efforts to reduce health disparities affecting minorities, HHS stated.
Madison, N.J.-based Quest Diagnostics and its subsidiary, MedPlus, will donate approximately 75 EHR licenses, including subscription fees, for 12 months and will help integrate the necessary IT components within participating physician practices, HHS stated in a release. The companies will collaborate with the federally funded regional extension center (REC) at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston on staff education and training, HHS stated.
Quest Diagnostics and MedPlus will donate approximately 85 percent of the cost of health provider EHR licenses, program integration, monthly subscription fees and education and training.
Other partners include the National Health IT Collaborative for the Underserved, a Washington, D.C.-based public, private and community partnership that supports the effective use of health information in underserved populations with emphasis on communities of color, the Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society Latino Initiative Workgroup and Medic Success, a New Jersey company that promotes health-related solutions for underserved communities. These groups will assist in physician recruitment, HHS added.
A healthcare provider who wishes to participate in this initiative must:
- Practice in a medically underserved area or health provider shortage area designated by HHS;
- Have an internet connection and use an electronic billing system;
- Be a small practice group of one to five providers or a federally qualified health center within the medically underserved area and/or health provider shortage area;
- Be eligible to receive meaningful use incentives as defined by the HITECH Act; and
- Complete an initial application and submit monthly reports.