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New Maryland law promotes electronic health records
Governor O’Malley has signed House Bill 706, which gives financial incentives for physicians and health care organizations to implement electronic health records. It builds on federal stimulus dollars available for electronic health records and coordinates state efforts to create a state wide health information exchange with similar federal plans. Privacy concerns about the ease of access to personal information and the possibility of exploitation by employers, insurers and others are acknowledged by state and federal officials who say safeguards will be incorporated into the new systems.
Stimulus funding for doctors who adopt electronic medical records will go through Medicare and Medicaid. To expand the incentive to providers, private insurers in Maryland will also be enlisted beginning in 2011. Doctors who do not use electronic medical records by 2015 may face penalties. State health insurers will provide incentives to hospitals to adopt electronic health records through lump sum payments or increased reimbursement.
The law requires the Maryland Health Care Commission and the Health Services Cost Review Commission to designate a statewide health information exchange by October 1. Applications from groups hoping to design the exchange are due June 12.
The law requires the Maryland Health Care Commission and the Health Services Cost Review Commission to designate a statewide health information exchange by October 1. Applications from groups hoping to design the exchange are due June 12.