The South Florida Regional Extension Center (SFREC) has announced that more than 1,000 physicians have joined with their organization to improve and streamline the adoption process. The SFREC has reached the milestone after being created less than a year ago through a federal grant. Doctors who sign up with the SFREC are guided through the process of registering for financial incentives, receiving office readiness assessments, choosing a certified vendor, implementing a system, receiving training and support and achieving meaningful use of the systems.
The South Florida Regional Extension Center is one of 62 regional extension centers established by the Office of National Coordinator of Health Information Technology and includes eight counties from Key West to Vero Beach. The SFREC’s announcement of reaching 1,000 members coincides with more than 50,000 health care providers who have partnered with regional extension centers nationwide to build the foundation for an electronically enabled health care system in the U.S. The majority of providers who have signed up for support are affiliated with small private practices (36%) or community health centers (28%), with many specializing in family practice or internal medicine.
Eligible health care providers can receive incentive payments through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid of up to $64,500 during the next five years for adopting a certified electronic health system and demonstrating meaningful use of the technology. For example, medical providers must regularly send, receive and confirm a percentage of their prescription medication orders and lab tests through their EHR system.
Studies have indicated that the adoption of the electronic health record will save money through increased efficiencies, decrease unnecessary tests, increase safety and security, shorten wait times and more fully engage patients in their medical care.
