CMS issues guidance on calculating Medicaid EHR incentives

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued guidance to Medicaid directors that will reduce the administrative burden for eligible professionals (EPs) participating in the state Medicaid EHR incentive program. EPs are no longer required to document contributions towards EHR purchases. Under the Medicaid program, EPs are eligible for up to $63,750 over six years.  The CMS guidance defines the implementation of technical changes to the Medicaid “meaningful use” program as a result of the Medicare and Medicaid Extenders Act (H.R. 4994). This law, signed by the president in December 2010, was mainly intended to cancel a 25 percent pay cut for Medicare-participating physicians scheduled for Jan. 1, 2011. Originally, the law required EPs to document outside contributions for EHR purchases and show that the EP contributed a minimum of 15 percent of the cost of the system for the Medicaid incentive program. Under this new CMS guidance, however, EPs are no longer required to document their personal contributions.  Find more information on the CMS Website.

Dallas L Alford IV, CPA is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the state of North Carolina and owner of Atlantic Financial Consulting, a consulting firm that provides comprehensive medical billing services, practice management consulting, coding audits, Medicare compliance, Medicare RAC support and other general medical practice consulting services.
To learn more about Atlantic Financial Consulting you may visit their website at http://atlanticfinancial.us or contact Dallas L Alford IV, CPA directly at 1 888-428-2555, Ext. 200.