Florida Medicaid gets HIT boost from federal stimulus
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides significant funding to create a national health information network for the exchange of electronic health records. "The bill places a great deal of responsibility on the states to plan and help create a state electronic health information exchange that will link with the nationwide exchange," says Medicaid director Carlton D. Snipes. "Florida's Agency for Health Care Administration has a major role in implementing various parts of ARRA, most notably having to do with Medicaid and health information technology (HIT)."
The ARRA provides a grant program for states to plan for and help build a health records exchange, a loan program to help providers purchase the equipment they need to "plug into" the exchange, and another financial assistance program to help Medicaid providers who purchase and use health information technology equipment.
"The impact on Florida is significant. We have identified opportunities to provide additional Medicaid funding for qualified electronic health record implementation to about half of the hospitals in the state, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and the 67 county health departments and their satellite clinics," says Mr. Snipes.
In addition, certain private high-volume Medicaid providers, such as pediatricians, can receive funding. "These providers will then be in a position to exchange clinical information through the statewide health information exchange, to be funded through grants to the states," says Mr. Snipes. The agency also will coordinate with federally funded regional extension centers to support Medicaid outreach and training for the adoption of HIT.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides significant funding to create a national health information network for the exchange of electronic health records.You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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