ACC: Cardiologists on the EMR incentive uptake

Fifty-five percent of cardiologists who responded to an American College of Cardiology (ACC) survey are either participating or plan to participate in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) EHR Incentive Program. Thirty-four percent have already registered, according to a survey published in the college’s Cardiology magazine.

CMS reported that in July, cardiology was the third highest specialty to participate in EHRs, the Washington, D.C.-based ACC stated.

The ACC's July survey of a 152 randomly selected panel of members found that 34 percent of participants reported that they have registered for the EHR Incentive Program, and about half of that group—18 percent of total respondents—have met the requirements for the program and have attested to doing so.

“The large majority of those registered for the program were either general cardiologists (53 percent) or interventional cardiologists (35 percent) in practice for 11 to 20 years (33 percent) or more than 20 years (43 percent),” the article stated. “Participants were mainly located in the south (43 percent), in suburban (44 percent) or urban (44 percent) areas.”

Twelve percent of those who have met the program requirements and attested (52 people) have received an incentive payment.

According to the survey, cardiologists who completed the survey indicated that their practice administrator handled registering the practice’s eligible professionals, preparing the report and completing the report.

Most survey participants agreed that they wanted the program to be simpler and thought that their EHR should be better integrated with the program, the ACC concluded.

Around the web

The American College of Cardiology has shared its perspective on new CMS payment policies, highlighting revenue concerns while providing key details for cardiologists and other cardiology professionals. 

As debate simmers over how best to regulate AI, experts continue to offer guidance on where to start, how to proceed and what to emphasize. A new resource models its recommendations on what its authors call the “SETO Loop.”

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf, MD, said the clinical community needs to combat health misinformation at a grassroots level. He warned that patients are immersed in a "sea of misinformation without a compass."

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup