State Report: Louisiana

NEW HOSPITAL FOR NEW ORLEANS

CMS TO PROMOTE PHYSICIAN IT USE

Louisiana has been chosen to participate in a $150 million Medicare pilot program to encourage physicians to use EHRs. During the first year of the program, participating physicians will receive increased Medicare payments for showing that they have implemented EHR systems. In the second year, payments will be increased for physicians who use EHR systems to report on their quality of care. In the final three years, physicians will receive payment increases if they can show that they used EHRs to meet quality-of-care standards.

MHE Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Urban Institute; Kaiser Family Foundation; U.S. Census Bureau; The Commonwealth Fund.