Study on EHR Payment Incentives to Providers Ineligible for Payment Incentivesand Other Funding

Section 4104(a) of Title IV of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) requires that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) conduct a study to determine the extent to which and manner in which payment incentives (such as under Medicare or Medicaid) and other funding for purposes of implementing and using certified EHR technology (as defined through HITECH) should be made available to health care providers who are receiving minimal or no payment incentives or other funding under HITECH, Medicare, or Medicaid for such purposes. The purpose of this contract is to conduct this study. Pursuant to FAR 6.302-1 the AHIMA Foundation s uniquely qualified to complete the work originally required in the ASPE Contract entitled, "EHR Payment Incentives for Providers Ineligible for Payment Incentives and Other Funding" (REMIS No.: RI-11-001) because of their combined and cumulative experiences and expertise in the following areas: Recognized leadership in and knowledge of the use of health IT and EHRs by many of health care provider types presently not eligible for incentives and other funding under HITECH (including: skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, home health agencies, in-patient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, etc.) and clinical workflow in these settings (including the development, management, and guidance on data and information flow in nursing homes, home health, and variety of other settings). Knowledge of the current HITECH programs that have made available incentives and other funding to certain health care providers. Skills in convening, facilitating, and producing written documents concerning meetings of Subject Matter Experts to discuss and synthesize difficult issues related to health IT and identify solutions on the topics of interest to address these problems. Skills in successfully managing interdisciplinary teams of experts required for complex contracts. Expert knowledge in Health IT standards and products that will be considered as part of this scope. Ability to develop policy relevant, written documents related to health IT/EHRs for many of the provider types who presently do not receive incentives/other funding for their acquisition/use of EHRs; and to produce timely documents that address complex issues in a manner that is accessible to senior decision makers. This acquisition requires expertise in: Health IT/EHRs available to and used by health care providers ineligible for incentives/other funding (such as skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, home health agencies, in-patient rehabilitation facilities, long-term care hospitals, psychiatric hospitals, etc.); the clinical workflow in and data needed by these ineligible health care providers, including the need for health information exchange across healthcare providers; in convening and consulting with subject matter experts and managing complex and time sensitive projects; and producing well written, policy relevant, and accessible written deliverables on time.