Most critical access hospitals (CAHs) are eligible for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. To participate and receive the incentive payments, CAHs need to achieve meaningful use of a certified electronic health record (EHR) system. Hospitals can begin receiving EHR incentive payments in any year from federal fiscal year (FY) 2011 to FY 2015, but payments will decrease for hospitals that start receiving payments in 2014 and later. Incentive payments to eligible hospitals and CAHs are based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment. CAHs that do not successfully demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology will be subject to Medicare payment adjustments beginning in FY 2015.

Dually-Eligible Hospitals

Your CAH may qualify for incentive payments under both the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. Your CAH is dually-eligible for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs if it meets the following criteria:

• You have a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Certification Number ending in 0001-0879 or 1300-1399; and
• You have 10% of your patient volume derived from Medicaid encounters.

For More Information

For more information on CAH eligibility for the EHR Incentive Programs, see the following resources.

• Meaningful Use for Critical Access Hospitals and Other Small Hospitals 
• EHR Incentive Programs: Eligible Hospital Information
• EHR Incentive Programs