The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is now the Promoting Interoperability Program
Introduction
The Promoting Interoperability/Electronic Health Record Incentive Payment program was established by the 2009 Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The program is designed to support providers during the period of health information technology transition and to improve the quality, safety and efficiency of patient health care through the use of electronic health records (EHRs).
The PIP/EHRIP provides incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Eligible providers will be able to apply for PIP/EHRIP payments through 2021.
Federal Rules
The U.S. Department of Health Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator released the final rules providing the parameters and requirements for Meaningful Use in the Electronic Health Record Incentive Payment (EHRIP) program.
What is Meaningful Use?
The potential benefits of electronic health records (EHRs) depend on how they are used. Meaningful Use is the set of standards defined by CMS that governs the use of EHRs by setting specific criteria for eligible providers and hospitals. Learn more about the Meaningful Use criteria for 2018 and beyond here.
The CMS Promoting Interoperability Website
The CMS Promoting Interoperability website is the resource for all aspects of Meaningful Use and the Promoting Interoperability (formerly the EHR Incentive Program), and is updated regularly as new requirements and guidelines are issued. It is the best starting point to learn more about:
- Whether you are eligible to receive an incentive payment under either the Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs;
- How to prepare and register as an Eligible Provider or Eligible Hospital;
- How the criteria for demonstrating Meaningful Use are defined;
- What other providers and hospitals have asked, CMS has answered, at the Promoting Interoperability Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) repository.
MAPIR: Administering Vermont's Medicaid PIP/EHRIP Payments
The PIP/EHRIP Team is part of the Department of Vermont Health Access, and is responsible for the implementation of the Vermont Medicaid PIP/EHRIP program. Vermont is one of 14 states using the Medical Assistance Provider Incentive Repository (MAPIR) System to manage Medicaid PIP applications. After Eligible Providers and Eligible Hospitals register at the CMS site, MAPIR allows Medicaid providers to attest. MAPIR processes the information in PIP/EHRIP applications and issues incentive payments.
The PIP/EHRIP payment process begins by accessing the CMS Medicare & Medicaid Registration and Attestation (R & A) System and stepping through the login and accreditation procedures. The Vermont MAPIR system and CMS R&A system share eligibility and attestation data back and forth in the course of the application and validation procedures of Medicaid PIP/EHRIP payments.
Learn more about the MAPIR Collaborative.
Review EP User Guides for MAPIR screenshots and navigation tips.
PIP/EHRIP and MAPIR Help Desk
For questions and assistance with the Vermont Medicaid Promoting Interoperability/EHR Incentive Program and the MAPIR system, contact the PIP/EHRIP Team at ahs.dvhaEHRIP@vermont.gov.
How to Apply
The correct order of the steps for a provider or hospital (or a preparer on their behalf) to follow in the application process are outlined here:
Vermont Medicaid PIP/EHRIP Application Process
Prospective PIP/EHRIP applicants are urged to explore the information and resources at that page before going forward with a PIP/EHR Incentive Program attestation.
For questions, contact the Vermont PIP/EHRIP Team at ahs.dvhaEHRIP@vermont.gov.
Back to the Vermont Medicaid PIP/EHRIP Home Page
(Page last updated 10/9/2020)