WESTBOROUGH, Mass.--eClinicalWorks®, a market leader in ambulatory clinical systems, today announced that Oklahoma’s Dr. Cynthia Taylor, affiliated with Norman Regional Health System, is the first in the country to receive a reimbursement check from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for demonstrating “meaningful use” of an electronic medical records system. An eClinicalWorks customer since February 2008, Dr. Taylor received a ceremonial check for $21,250 in her office from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.
“We were already using eClinicalWorks when these guidelines came out”
“We were already using eClinicalWorks when these guidelines came out,” said Dr. Cynthia Taylor, Family Medicine Associates of Norman, affiliated with Norman Regional Health System. “In addition to the benefit of receiving these funds, the system has increased the speed in which we see patients, and has improved efficiencies and quality of care in our practice. Going back to paper is not even an option for us.”
Dr. Taylor’s office qualified for funds due to it successfully demonstrating “meaningful use” of a certified electronic medical records system and because at least 30 percent of her clients are covered by Sooner Care, Oklahoma’s Medicaid program. According to a January 19, 2011 article in The Oklahoman newspaper, “Taylor was one of three Oklahoma physicians to receive preliminary approval for funding..but she was the first to turn in her final paperwork.”
Norman Regional Health System is also live with eClinicalWorks Electronic Health eXchange (eEHX®), which connects the health system and members of Norman Physician Hospital Organization, providing physicians with improved access to patients’ health information and allowing them to exchange data more effectively.
“We feel that we are extremely well-positioned for Phase 2 meaningful use with our current level of adoption, thanks to great support and forward-thinking enhancements from eClinicalWorks,” said Dr. Brian Yeaman, CMIO for Norman Regional Health System.
“eClinicalWorks has always prided itself on demonstrating market leadership and having a high rate of successful deployments,” said Girish Kumar Navani, CEO and co-founder of eClinicalWorks. “Since the federal government announced this initiative as part of the HITECH Act, we have worked even harder to ensure that not only our system met all of the criteria, but also that our customers are educated on the guidelines. We are excited for Dr. Taylor and proud to call her a customer.”
On July 13, 2010, the U.S. Health and Human Services Department released the final rule on “meaningful use” of an EHR under the HITECH Act. Signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, the HITECH Act authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide a reimbursement incentive for physician and hospital providers who demonstrate the “meaningful use” of an EHR. The federal government has allocated $19 billion for this effort and more information can be found at http://healthit.hhs.gov.