Key Differences Between the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs
There are several important differences between the Medicare EHR Incentive Program and the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program.
- Program Administration: The Medicare EHR Incentive Program is administered by the federal government. The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is administered by states and is voluntary for states to implement. Contact your state Medicaid agency for more information.
- Maximum Incentive Amounts: The Medicare EHR Incentive Program's maximum incentive is $44,000 for eligible professionals (EPs), while the maximum incentive in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is $63,750 for EPs.
- Common Definition: The Medicare EHR Incentive Program uses a common definition of meaningful use. State Medicaid programs, however, can add additional meaningful use requirements.
- Incentive Payment Timeline: The last year a provider may initiate the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is 2014, while the last year a provider may initiate the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is 2016.
- Eligibility: Only some physicians and a subsection of hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) are eligible to initiate the Medicare EHR Incentive Program and achieve EHR incentives. Five types of EPs, acute care hospitals (including CAHs), and children’s hospitals may initiate the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program and achieve EHR incentives.
For More Information
For More Information For more information about EHR incentives, the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, or the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, see the following resources.