Provider perceptions of ARRA, meaningful use

April 09, 2010

01:29 PM

From the Web seminar "Road Traveled: Providers' Perceptions of ARRA Legislation from Inception to Meaningful Use"

Billians HealthData and Porter Research conducted a benchmark survey in March/April 2009 following release of the initial legislation of the HITECH Act, with a follow-up survey conducted in January/February 2010 after the expanded meaningful use requirements were added to the legislation. The following graphs compare the results of the two surveys, in which 150 respondents participated from various organizations including critical access and multi-facility systems.

HITECH Act - Sources of Information

Participants became more personally involved in understanding the HITECH Act. In 2009, the mainstream media, including print, television, and radio was the most common source of information, whereas in 2010, participants we much more likely to research the legislation using the internet or to read the document itself.

HITECH Act - Concerns

The undefined standards and measurement of the legislation was the primary concern in both surveys. In 2009, participants were more concerned with funding, while in 2010 ability to meet requirements and the overly aggressive timetable of the legislation were more significant concerns.

Meaningful Use - Agreement

Approximately 45 percent of participants agreed with the expanded meaningful use requirements outlined in the legislation.

HITECH Act - Perceived Impact

In 2010, participants were more likely to agree with the impact of the HITECH Act on the following, with the exception of the ability of the legislation to promote the adoption of EHRs in the hospital market.

HITECH Act - Impact on Technology Adoption

In 2010, 82 percent of participants indicated that the HITECH Act will somewhat to significantly increase the rate of adoption of CPOE, up 24.4 percent from the 2009 survey. With expanded MU requirements, the legislation proves much more favorable overall in its impact on tech adoption.

HITECH Act - Reimbursement Levels

Overall, participants predicted that the HITECH Act would cover a lower percentage of the total anticipated cost for certified EHR solutions. Hospitals with a smaller amount of beds were significantly less likely to anticipate cost coverage of 0-24% than those with 100 or more beds.