New bill redefines EHR incentives in the outpatient setting
As part of the Continuing Extension Act of 2010, passed Thursday in the Senate, the legislators voted to amend the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) definition to include a professional in an inpatient or emergency room setting.
With respect to the prohibition against incentive payments to hospital-based eligible professionals for use of certified EHR technology, the bill redefines "hospital-based eligible professional" to repeal its application to outpatient settings, thereby permitting incentive payments to an eligible professional who furnishes services in an outpatient clinic.
The Act also amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 to extend the use of 2009 poverty guidelines through April 30, therefore, prohibiting the Secretary of Health and Human Services from publishing updated poverty guidelines for 2010 until after such date.
With respect to the prohibition against incentive payments to hospital-based eligible professionals for use of certified EHR technology, the bill redefines "hospital-based eligible professional" to repeal its application to outpatient settings, thereby permitting incentive payments to an eligible professional who furnishes services in an outpatient clinic.
The Act also amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 to extend the use of 2009 poverty guidelines through April 30, therefore, prohibiting the Secretary of Health and Human Services from publishing updated poverty guidelines for 2010 until after such date.