Electronic Health Records (EHRs) are becoming increasingly important tools in the delivery of health care and in health reform efforts. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides significant financial incentives, up to $63,750 per eligible professional, to encourage the adoption and “meaningful use” of EHRs in ways that improve quality, increase efficiency, and promote safety.

The Michigan Medicaid program will launch an EHR incentive program in 2011 and needs your help to make it successful. We are asking providers to take five minutes to complete the enclosed survey, or you may complete the survey on line at www.MichiganHealthIT.org. Your responses will provide the state with the baseline information necessary to understand Michigan’s current health information technology (HIT) capacity and plan for future HIT activities. Additional information on the survey may be found on the next page.

As details of the EHR incentive program are finalized, additional information will be provided to the Medicaid provider community. The first round of informational and listening sessions around the state was just announced and future educational sessions will take place in the fall. You are encouraged to visit www.MichiganHealthIT.org and sign up to be on the email list to receive periodic updates.

For more information about ARRA’s HIT programs, please visit www.MichiganHealthIT.org.