Stimulus Package

Stimulus Package - ARRA

Overview

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, sets appropriations to revitalize the American economy and provides capital funding for investments in infrastructure, unemployment benefits, transportation, education, and healthcare. It includes a net $19.5 billion dollars to aid in the development of a robust IT infrastructure for healthcare and to assist providers and other entities in adopting and using health IT. As a result, United States will save billions of dollars on the provision of healthcare, and patients will receive coordinated, informed care from their entire network of providers.

Objectives

  • To lower health care costs
  • To reduce medical errors
  • To improve point care
  • To improve access to data, such as healthcare IT, opportunities will arise to improve business intelligence programs in healthcare
  • To improve Quality

Important Dates

October 1, 2010

Reporting year begins for eligible hospitals and CAHs.

January 1, 2011

Reporting year begins for eligible professionals.

January 3, 2011

Registration for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program begins.

January 3, 2011

For Medicaid providers, states may launch their programs if they so choose.

April 2011

Attestation for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program begins.

May 2011

EHR Incentive Payments expected to begin.

July 3, 2011

Last day for eligible hospitals to begin their 90-day reporting period to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

September 30, 2011

Last day of the federal fiscal year. Reporting year ends for eligible hospitals and CAHs.

October 1, 2011

Last day for eligible professionals to begin their 90-day reporting period for calendar year 2011 for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

November 30, 2011

Last day for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals to register and attest to receive an Incentive Payment for Federal fiscal year (FY) 2011.

December 31, 2011

Reporting year ends for eligible professionals.

February 29, 2012

Last day for eligible professionals to register and attest to receive an Incentive Payment for calendar year (CY) 2011.