HHS likely to certify EMR technologies

The Department of Health and Human Services is likely to take on a new job soon: certifying what health record technologies qualify for billions of dollars in reimbursements under the stimulus program.

Until now, the certification program had been handled by the technology industry. But questions arose about whether it was a legitimate role for a private sector commission with ties to a trade group relating to e-health records to be in charge.

Under the stimulus legislation, doctors and medical organizations can be reimbursed for buying equipment that is certified as meeting certain mandates to improve information sharing. But the details of how this will happen is still unclear.

The Obama administration included $36.5 billion in the stimulus package to develop electronic health records networks. The President argues that EMRs will help cut the cost of healthcare.

For more on the new role of HHS in EMR development:
- check out this Washington Post article