(2010-06-15) Emr Meaningful Use Realistic Question

Even large/sophisticated HealthCare providers are complaining that the Meaningful Use Of EMR rules/timelines are unrealistic. One of most revealing assessments came from Dr. Thomas H. Lee, president of the physician network at PartnersHealthCare. “Effective use of electronic health records will greatly improve patient safety, quality and efficiency,” Dr. Lee said in a letter to Medicare officials. But he said the approach taken by the administration was based on “unrealistic expectations” and “unachievable timelines.” “We are very concerned about the requirement that hospitals and eligible professionals must meet each and every one of the objectives to demonstrate meaningful use and thereby qualify for incentive payments,” Dr. Lee said.

Small group practices have it even tougher. With their operating margins already slim from decreasing reimbursements and rising overhead, they have little financial resources to make the transition. And when the incentives turn into penalties in the coming years, I don’t see how these practices can survive on their own. They’ll have no choice but to be bought out by hospitals or integrated health systems. Again, that also may be what the government ultimately wants. Conspiracy Theory or BigWorld reality?