Electronic Health Record Incentives Expanded to Mental Health
As health IT adoption grows, a new bill introduced by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) will help expand electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs to mental health workers and facilities.
Health IT investments have been aided by existing legislation that allows providers to apply for Medicare and Medicaid funding to finance the implementation of new electronic health record systems. These plans, authorized in the Health Information Technology Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act in 2009, have allowed eligible hospitals to receive millions in funding.
The Behavioral Health Information Technology Act of 2011 (S. 539) would extend this benefit to licensed psychologists, clinical social workers, and mental health treatment facilities. It is a necessary step forward in expanding the growing network of linked medical records and patient files into a much broader and more efficient database.
Bill Would Add Mental Health To EHR Incentives (Information Week)
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