Medicare Incentives

The Medicare EHR Incentive Program

The Medicare EHR Incentive Program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and CAHs that demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.

Participation can begin as early as 2011.
Eligible professionals can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. There's an additional incentive for eligible professionals who provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HSPA).
To get the maximum incentive payment, Medicare eligible professionals must begin participation by 2012.
Incentive payments for eligible hospitals and CAHs may begin as early as 2011 and are based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment.
Important! For 2015 and later, Medicare eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and CAHs that do not successfully demonstrate meaningful use will have a payment adjustment in their Medicare reimbursement.

The table below illustrates the payments available in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

How Does VITL Fit In?

VITL has been named by the federal government as a regional extension center (REC), and we are the only one serving Vermont. One of the primary tasks of a REC is to help eligible professionals in a geographic area understand the rules for the EHR incentives and assist them in achieving meaningful use of EHRs so that they qualify for incentive payments. For more information on how VITL can help, see the Why VITL section of this website.

Click here to sign up for VITL's regional extension center services.

If you have questions about meaningful use or require additional information, please contact Larry Gilbert at 802-839-1943 or email lgilbert@vitl.net.