MGMA concerned about ARRA's EHR incentive logistics

Program could fail to meet objectives if improperly administered

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Nov. 22, 2009 – The Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) sent a series of recommendations aimed at improving the electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs mandated as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) to David Blumenthal, MD, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. MGMA asserts that if the program is not developed and administered appropriately, large numbers of medical groups will fail to achieve "meaningful use" and not qualify for the incentives.

In its letter to Dr. Blumenthal, MGMA recommended:

• Instituting a pilot test prior to the start of the program and before each new phase of the program
• Only including criteria for meaningful use that have widespread industry use or have been pilot-tested
• Using only those meaningful use administrative criteria that are appropriate and achievable
• Instituting a process to permit physicians to test their reporting systems prior to their "go-live" date
• Permitting flexibility in achieving meaningful use and avoiding a "pass/fail" approach
• Developing a simple process for physicians to attest that they have achieved meaningful use
• Simplifying the data-reporting process and ensuring that the government is ready to accept the data
• Closely monitoring the industry to ensure that the program logistics operate appropriately. In addition, it is critical to monitor the vendor community for its ability to produce high-quality and reasonably priced software

"In developing the incentive program logistics, the federal government must ensure that concepts of practicality and achievability serve as the foundation of the process," said William F. Jessee, MD, FACMPE, MGMA president and CEO. "Should clinicians encounter significant and burdensome program-related roadblocks and hurdles in their efforts to achieve and prove that they are meaningful users of an EHR, the government runs the risk of not fulfilling the legislation’s directive, and the program could fail to bring about the system improvements many of us envision.

We look forward to working with Blumenthal and his staff to create an incentive program that attracts large numbers of physicians who are committed to implementing healthcare information technology," Jessee said. "This is a historic opportunity for the industry to improve the clinical care physicians deliver to their patients and to streamline healthcare administration.  If constructed effectively, this program has the potential of transforming the nation’s healthcare system."

About MGMA

MGMA is the premier membership association for professional administrators and leaders of medical group practices. Since 1926, MGMA has delivered networking, professional education and resources, and political advocacy for medical practice management. Today, MGMA's 22,500 members lead 13,700 organizations nationwide in which some 275,000 physicians provide more than 40 percent of the health care services delivered in the United States.

MGMA's mission is to continually improve the performance of medical group practice professionals and the organizations they represent. MGMA promotes the group practice model as the optimal framework for health care delivery, assisting group practices in providing efficient, safe, patient-focused and affordable care. MGMA is headquartered in Englewood, Colo., and maintains a government affairs office in Washington, D.C.