ONC reaches goal of enrolling 100K PCP in extension centers

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) has achieved its goal of enrolling 100,000 primary care providers with regional extension centers (REC) that were developed to assist small-scale practices with EHR implementation and meaningful use compliance.

“This milestone demonstrates interest in the adoption and meaningful use among community health centers, small practices and rural providers that can lead to improvements in health and healthcare,” Farzad Mostashari, MD, the national coordinator for health IT, said.

According to the ONC, approximately 50 percent of providers enrolled with RECs are in small group practices, 18 percent are in community health centers, 11 percent are in public hospitals and 21 percent are in other underserved settings, such as critical access hospitals and rural health clinics.

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