When does Registration for Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentives start?

Registration for EHR Incentive Programs Starts January 3, 2011. Here are the steps.

We encourage providers to register for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Program(s) as soon as possible. You can register before you have a certified EHR. Register even if you do not have an enrollment record in PECOS.
It is only a few days away. A link to registration is not yet posted on the CMS Incentive Programs website. You can keep watching this page for the latest updates.
 
Medicaid EHR Incentive programs in many states will also begin on January 3, 2011. Some states will not be ready to participate on this date. As of this writing, Registration for Medicaid EHR incentives opens in the following states on January 3, 2011:
  • Alaska
  • Iowa
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Oklahoma
  • Michigan
  • Mississippi
  • North Carolina
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
Registration opens in the following states in February 2011:
  • California
  • Missouri
  • North Dakota
Other states likely will launch their Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs during the spring and summer of 2011.
 
If you wish to participate in the Medicaid program you must initiate registration at CMS registration site, but complete the process through an eligibility verification site through your state Medicaid agency.
What next?
First, you need to make sure you know which program you are applying for; Medicare or Medicaid. For the appropriate system you will apply for, you need the following:
  1. Your NPI – National Provider Identifier number.
  2. All Medicare eligible professionals must have an enrollment record in PECOS to participate. (Note: Eligible professionals who are only participating in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program are not required to be enrolled in PECOS.)

Also Note : If you do not have an enrollment record in PECOS yet, you should still register for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.

You can use the same user ID and Password you use for National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES). This is also the same User ID and Password that is used to access PECOS.
If you do not have an active User ID and Password for NPPES or PECOS, you can get it via Identity and Access Management website. (click the link). You will need:
  • Type 2 NPI
  • Taxpayer Identification number (TIN)
  • Address from the IRS form CP-575 (Ask your accountant).
Please remember that if you are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Programs, you must choose which incentive program you wish to participate in when you register. It is nice, however, that before 2015, you may switch programs only once after the first incentive payment is initiated. This means that you can maximize your incentive payments by participating in the Medicaid Incentive Program.
Note: Waiting Room Solutions is scheduled to get ONC-ATCB Certification soon, we’ll keep you posted. Visit this page often.
Summary: Key Dates in 2011
 
  • Jan. 3: Registration for the Medicare EHR incentive program begins.
  • Jan. 3: States that are ready may launch their incentive programs for Medicaid providers.  
  • January: Some state agencies begin issuing Medicaid EHR incentive payments.
  • April: Attestation for the Medicare EHR incentive program begins.
  • May: Issuing of Medicare EHR incentive payments expected to begin.
 
Important Links
  1. Registration and Attestation website when it opens: http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/20_RegistrationandAttestation.asp#TopOfPage
  2. EHR Incentive Programs Overview: http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/01_Overview.asp#TopOfPage
  3. Are you an “EP” – Eligible Provider? http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/15_Eligibility.asp#TopOfPage
  4. Waiting Room Solutions CCHIT Certification: http://www.cchit.org/products/2011/ambulatory/2763