Hitech In Health Care

1000 Words2 Pages

The use of computer technology plays a vital role in society. The use of it alone has made different task easier, by reducing time management, effort, and overall cost in completing a particular task. With the widely vast growth of computer technology in every field of life; the health care services are experiencing an immerse digital progression by the adoption of electronic health record systems through the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (Hitech Act). On February 17, 2009, Congress passed the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act enacted as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (HHS.gov,n.d.). The focal point of the legislation was to promote and expand …show more content…

Since this legislation anticipates a massive expansion in the exchange of electronic protected health information (Healthcareitnews,2015)., modifications were made in the Hipaa privacy and security rule under the Hitech act, which made the Hipaa compliance on privacy and security a lot stricter, with fines for restrictions on the use of personal data and data breaches not only for providers, but also hold their business associates and covered entities liable for any security breach. the Hitech Act support the concept of medical information delivery through electronical exchanges and proposed meaningful use throughout the health care delivery system as a goal. Meaningful use is the objective and measures that achieve goals of improved patient care outcomes and delivery through data captures and sharing, advance clinical processes, and improved patient outcomes. (Green,2015,p. …show more content…

The incentive payments started in 2011 and range close to $64,000 for Medicaid providers for a total of six years, and a total of 44,000 for Medicare in the first five years. With rewards comes penalties. The Hitech Act is not only about handing out monetary incentives, but the decision for a physician or a practice to not implement and electronic health record or simply delay the process by 2011 will result in penalization, and lost incentives. Beginning in 2015, physician will receive a reduction in Medicare part B (Green,2015,p.39). After 2017, Medicare part B payments will be adjusted down to 1 percent each

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