On Jan. 3, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) opened the registration for the Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs. It was started in Alaska, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas and broad participation is invited from eligible professionals and eligible hospitals who wish to participate.

In February, the registration will open in California, Missouri, and North Dakota and in other states during the spring and summer of 2011.

“With the start of registration, these landmark programs get underway, and patients, providers, and the nation can begin to enjoy the benefits of widespread adoption of electronic health records,” CMS Administrator Donald Berwick, MD was quoted as saying in the news release. “CMS has many resources available to help providers register and participate, and we look forward to working with eligible professionals and eligible hospitals to facilitate the process, beginning on January 3^rd and going forward.”

“It’s time to get connected,” said David Blumenthal, MD, MPP, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. “ONC and CMS have worked together over many months to prepare for the startup on January 3^rd. ONC’s Certified HIT Product List includes more than 130 certified EHR systems or modules and is updated frequently. ONC also has hands-on assistance available across the country through 62 Regional Extension Centers. We look forward to continuing to work with CMS to assist eligible providers in 2011 and future years.”

The news release said that interested providers can acquaint themselves with the programs’ requirements by visiting CMS’ Official Web Site for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.

Eligible providers seeking to participate in the Medicaid programs must initiate registration at CMS’…