Electronic Health Record Adoption and Optimization

The Regional Extension Center's (REC) primary purpose is to support priority primary care providers (PPCP), to help them implement an electronic health record (EHR) system and/or achieve Meaningful Use.  A PPCP is defined as an MD, DO, Nurse Practitioner or Certified Nurse Midwife, who practices in the following settings:

  • Primary care providers in individual and small practices of 10 or less
  • Public and critical access hospitals
  • FQCHCs, community health centers and rural health clinics
  • Other settings that serve uninsured, underinsured and medically underserved populations

As of February 2013, Massachusetts is ranked #3 for incentive payments:

  • 2,487 Primary Care Providers enrolled with the REC
  • 2,310 or 93% of Providers Live on an EHR System
  • 945 or 38% of Providers Achieving Stage 1 Meaningful Use 
  • $6M in Direct Assistance grants paid on behalf of MA providers

The Regional Extension Center (REC) still has Direct Assistance Funds available. There is still time left to take advantage of this program in 2013. Funds will be paid directly to the implementation and optimization organization (IOO) who works with the provider/practice to achieve Meaningful Use, as predefined milestones are met.

Once enrolled, the PPCP will be expected to reach Stage 1 meaningful use by January of 2014. The REC is here to help each provider reach that goal. Stages 2 and 3 meaningful use are in the process of being defined.

There are two levels of assistance available:

Basic Services 1 ($4,500):  Designed to assist the Regional Extension Center affiliated priority provider with the transition from a paper-based medical records system or from a non-certified EHR system to a certified EHR system.

Basic Services 2 ($2,500):  Designed to assist the Regional Extension Center affiliated priority provider that has a certified EHR system currently installed achieved Meaningful Use on that system.