NCHS: More physicians applying for meaningful use incentives

A majority of physicians who responded to the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) reported that they potentially qualify for financial incentives attached to meeting Stage 1 meaningful use criteria.

According to a November National Center for Health Statistics data brief, 52 percent of physicians surveyed in 2011 said that they plan to apply for incentives compared to 41 percent of physicians surveyed in 2010. Only 15 percent reported that they would not apply and 33 percent reported that they were uncertain.

Additionally, the data brief showed that EMR/EHR use has increased every year since 2002. Since then, the percentage of physicians reporting EMR/EHR use has increased from 17 to 57.

More physicians also are reporting that they meet the criteria for a basic system, which requires EMR/EHR systems with a range of functionalities that include computerized orders for prescriptions and laboratory image viewing. Approximately one-third of physicians claimed compliance with criteria for a basic system in 2011 compared to 11 percent that reported compliance in 2006.

“As federal programs to provide incentives for meaningful use and local technical support are implemented, monitoring EHR system adoption will continue to be important in evaluating the effectiveness of these policies and targeting efforts in certain areas,” the report’s author, Chun-Ju Hsiao, concluded.

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