Letter from the Editor #667: Meaningful Use of EHRs Paying Less

Now that the sequestration has started, time alone will tell how much impact it will have on healthcare providers. We do know that according to CMS, Medicare incentive payments for meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) will suffer a 2% cut beginning April 1. This is in addition to the cuts in Medicare payments that are already taking place.

This could not happen at a worse time because a survey from the ACP is showing that as more and more physicians adopt EHR systems, they like them less and less. A probable reason for the greater discontent, say experts, is that software vendors have made EHR programs more click-intensive by adding features to help physicians meet federal "meaningful use" requirements and earn a bonus that is now being decreased.

Sheri Colberg, PhD, has a new book coming out is August, Exercise and Diabetes: A Clinician’s Guide to Prescribing Physical Activity. This week she has shared an excerpt on Exercise Benefits for Gestational Diabetes with us. At the end of the article you will find a valuable link to CME credits available through the ADA for completing a new self-assessment program on exercise and diabetes.