Registration for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program opens on January 3, 2011. CMS is encouraging Eligible Providers/Clinics and Hospitals to register as soon as possible even if an EHR has not yet been implemented. CMS’ Registration and Attestation page also lists other requirements for incentive payments for both eligible providers/clinics and hospitals.

Registration is required for program participation; however, it is not necessary to identify the certified EHR technology at the time of registration. The name and version of the certified EHR technology will be required for attestation.

Along with certified EHR technology and the demonstration of Meaningful Use, most Hospitals will require the following information for incentive payments:

• National provider identifier (NPI)
• National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) account
• An enrollment record in the Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS)
• CMS Identify and Access Management (I&A) system user identification (ID) and password
• CMS certification number (CCN)
• Hospital tax ID number

Eligible Providers/Clinics will require the following information for incentive payments:

• NPI
• NPPES account
• An enrollment record in the PECOS (Note: this is unnecessary for those registering for the Medicaid program only)
• Payee tax ID number (for those reassigning benefits)
• Payee NPI (for those reassigning benefits

CMS also announced the following key dates for the Medicare incentive program’s first year. Key dates for the Medicaid incentive program’s first year in Colorado have not yet been announced.

• January 3, 2011 – Registration for the Medicare EHR incentive program begins.
• April 2011 – Attestation for the Medicare EHR incentive program begins.
• May 2011 – Issuing of Medicare 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 for federal FY 2011.
• September 30, 2011 – Federal FY 2011 payment year ends at midnight for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs).
• October 3, 2011 – Last day for eligible providers/clinics to begin their 90-day reporting period for calendar year 2011 to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare EHR incentive program.
• November 30, 2011 – Last day for eligible hospitals and CAHs to register and attest to receive incentive payment for federal fiscal year 2011.
• December 31, 2011 – Calendar 2011 payment year ends for eligible providers/clinics.

As a Regional Extension Center (REC) contractor, CRHC will continue to assist participating hospitals and clinics with information and assistance on how to attest and qualify for incentive payments. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Tracy McDonald at tm@coruralhealth.org.