Bill expands MU incentives to mental health providers

A bill introduced by Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) would extend the EHR incentive program to behavioral health providers, including psychiatric hospitals, substance abuse facilities and psychologists.  

The Behavioral Health Information Technology Coordination Act of 2013 (S. 1685) also seeks to improve patient safety through required reporting of EHR-related adverse events to safety organizations.

Also, the bill clarifies that EHRs are not considered to be devices subject to the Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act, limits electronic discovery in EHRs and increases legal protections for providers.

A similar bill was introduced earlier this year by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I). The Behavioral Health Information Technology Act (S. 1517) also would expand providers eligible for Medicare incentives to include behavioral health professionals, and authorize EHR incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals under Medicare Advantage plans.

Portman’s bill was referred to the Committee on Finance on Nov. 12.