CMS continues to update its web pages, this time adding a substantive section to its site for the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. The new "Data and Reports" page contains EHR attestation registration data, showing how many eligible providers have signed up to attest to meaningful use, and actual EHR incentive payment data, showing who got paid.
There are already two very pretty full-color maps showing distribution data for EHR payments and registration, reflecting data through today (Nov. 7, 2011). So far, there are some very interesting clusters of data worth observing:
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Texas without a doubt has gotten the most EHR payments in the can, followed by Louisiana. Both states have seen upwards of $75 million flow into physician practice coffers.
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North Dakota has gotten the least, pretty much $0, of the contiguous U.S. territories.
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Other states that are well behind Texas, but ahead of most, include Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, with between $50 and $75 million received.
A total of more than $527 million in Medicare EHR incentives have been doled out as of October 2011, CMS says. Even more, $711 million, has been paid out under the Medicaid incentive program.
Interestingly, the map showing the number of registered providers (to include both those who have been paid and those who have not attested yet to be paid) is slightly different. This map shows:
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Texas ties with California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois for the most providers (including hospitals) registered to attest to meaningful use.
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A clear trend has emerged showing the fewest registrations in Midwestern and inland Pacific states, including Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, North and South Dakota and Kansas.
The total number of providers registered is around 138,570, according to CMS.
If you got paid already -- you're famous. CMS has posted a list of 3,724 providers who've seen a nice $18,000 gift from the U.S. government in their bank accounts under the Medicare incentive. CMS says this will be updated regularly, giving the Data and Reports page the air of a sweepstakes site.