Allscripts launches new program

CHICAGO A healthcare information technology company has launched a program to help physicians adopt electronic health records that qualify for federal incentives.

Allscripts announced Monday the launch of the Allscripts Stimulus Program, designed to facilitate rapid deployment of EHR.

The program guarantees that the Allscripts EHR that physicians select will meet the certification criteria provided by the Department of Health and Human Services, also allowing them to benefit from a financing program that waives payments for software for the first six months. HHS released a rule under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act requiring physicians to demonstrate their “meaningful use” of a certified EHR in order to claim between $44,000 and $64,000 in Medicare and Medicaid stimulus incentives, which will become available in 2011.

“We have the best physicians and caregivers in the world,” Allscripts CEO Glen Tullman said in a statement. “The goal of this program is to drive the adoption and use of electronic health records to provide physicians with real-time information on best practices and connect them with the other healthcare stakeholders who are key to delivering an integrated, high-quality and cost-effective patient experience.”