Local Incentive Programs
Rhode Island's Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC), with the help of the Health Insurance Advisory Council (HIAC) has developed a set of standards to improve health care system affordability in Rhode Island. One standard focuses on electronic health record (EHR) adoption and requires an investment and promotion of EHRs by health plans with the aim of expanding and standardizing incentive programs for physicians. The standards also require that insurers support the implementation of EHRs by increasing fees for providers with EHRs by at least 3%.
Below are the incentive programs that have been implemented by local insurers to date:
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of RI Incentives
PCP EHR Fee Increase Program
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island (BCBSRI) reimburses primary care physicians (PCPS) on a qualified EHR at a higher percentage of the Rhode Island Medicare Fee Schedule for office evaluation and management services. The criteria for a qualified EHR was developed by BCBSRI in collaboration with the Rhode Island Quality Institutes’ Health IT Physician Advisory Committee. For further details, please visit the provider section of BCBSRI.com or call 1.800.230.9050.
EHR Grant Program
In 2009, BCBSRI established an EHR Grant Program to provide funding for both new and existing users of EHR technology. The program is open to primary care physicians (PCPs) and some specialists. The funding levels are up to $5,000 per physician and $1,500 per mid-level practitioner. Funding will be provided through a grant application process, and will be distributed based on an application review process. Funding is also available to assess a provider'/practice's readiness for EHR implementation and define the steps that will need to be taken prior to implementing an EHR. Applications can be found on the Provider section of BCBSRI.com, or by calling the BCBSRI Physician and Provider Service Center at 401.274.4848 or 800.230.9050.
Tufts Healthcare Incentives
Coming soon!
United Healthcare Incentives
“HIT Rewards” Program
In April 2010, United Healthcare is rolling out year two of their UnitedHealth HIT Rewardssm Program. This is available to practices that have implemented and are using electronic health records (EHR), or can document that they are in the process of EHR implementation. The incentive payment for 2010 will be $2,500 per primary care physician (PCP) up to a maximum of $7,500 per primary care (PCP) practice groups as outlined in the Office of Health Insurance Commissioner (OHIC) guidelines. In subsequent years, you may also be eligible for a 3% fee schedule enhancement or a bonus equaling 3% of the physician-centric services provided by your practice.
In addition to the Rewards Program the UnitedHealth Group owned EHR, Ingenix CareTracker, has implemented a purchasing program to assist with EHR implementation costs. Their interest-free financing package will cover your implementation and subscription costs until 2011 when stimulus incentive payments begin. They will also waive the monthly EHR software license fee for the first 100 physicians who become new clients through December 31, 2010. Please call Ingenix CareTracker toll-free at 877.347.0845 to learn more.