| As of February 17, 2009, the American Recovery | | | | trustworthy and high-quality products. |
| and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into | | | | Before purchasing, it is wise to create a list of |
| law by President Obama. This act provided $17.2 | | | | features that is important for you to find in a |
| billion in financial incentives to facilitate the | | | | software program. These features may include |
| widespread implementation of certified EMR | | | | recognizing adverse drug reactions, |
| software amongst physicians and hospitals. In | | | | e-prescriptions, and billing. Additional factors to |
| order to benefit from this stimulus plan, the | | | | consider are whether there are any non-functional |
| physician must implement a certified EMR | | | | requirements that need to be addressed in order |
| software program. These benefits are received | | | | for the software program to be integrated and |
| through Medicare and Medicaid programs. | | | | implemented successfully into a practice. These |
| CCHIT , or Certification Commission for | | | | often include staff training, the initial cost and |
| Healthcare Information Technology, has not been | | | | annual costs, technology and whether or not the |
| explicitly mentioned in this new act, but it is | | | | software must be passed through a managing |
| believed that it will be named as the certification | | | | organization. |
| program for EMR software. The program was | | | | When selecting a company to purchase your |
| officially recognized by the government in 2006 | | | | certified EMR software from, it is important that |
| and has been successful and sustainable in | | | | you choose a provider that can help you |
| doctor's offices and hospitals across the country. | | | | determine whether or not the software is right |
| In addition, certified EMR software has had a high | | | | for your practice. The vendor should have a |
| market acceptance. | | | | reliable reputation as well as provide outstanding |
| CCHIT certification has high standards in product | | | | customer support. You should also have options in |
| analysis, usability requirements and operation | | | | software depending on practice size, your office's |
| verified at multiple sites. There are also federal | | | | specialty as well as your local market. |
| standards that apply here, as well as membership | | | | By selecting the right certified EMR software, you |
| requirements. Some of the CCHIT certifications | | | | can improve office productivity, while gaining |
| for EMR software include the EHR-C, EHR-M: A | | | | income and reducing expenses. It can also keep |
| and the HER-S. Programs that feature these EMR | | | | you within legal limits, while providing access to |
| selection criteria are usually considered | | | | stimulus funds as well. |