Health Information Technology Regional Center Announced in Nevada

The Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the National Coordinator have announced that HealthInsight, a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the healthcare systems of Nevada and Utah will serve as the health information technology Regional Extension Center for Nevada.

Regional Extension Centers were created out of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 stimulus package for the purpose of improving the quality and value of health care throughout the country. Already, over 1000 healthcare providers in Nevada have committed to work with the newly announced Regional Extension Center in order to become eligible for bonus payments from the federal government for their Medicaid/Medicare patients.

In order for physicians to be eligible for their share of the $34 billion in financial incentives they must be successful in becoming "meaningful users" of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. Health information technology Regional Extension Centers across the country will assist providers to adopt and achieve "meaningful use" as defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Improvement Technology.

In addition to achieving "meaningful use" of an EHR, physicians must also exchange health information through a health information exchange to improve quality of care, and report on quality measures in order to achieve the available financial incentives.

"Nevada physicians agree that the increased use of health information technology will improve patient care and is essential to any successful reforms of the health care system," said Larry Matheis, Nevada State Medical Association Executive Director. "As the Regional Center for Health Information Technology, HealthInsight is in the best position to assist physicians to make decisions regarding new technologies."

As the Regional Extension Center for Nevada, HealthInsight will work on a priority basis with primary care providers such as family practice, internal medicine, OB/Gyn, Pediatrics, federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and others serving underserved populations to offer hands-on, one-on-one customized assistance selecting and using EHRs to improve care. Other healthcare providers and specialists that are not priority list will be offered assistance from the Regional Center as well.

Source: HealthInsight