​Background/Summary of the Promoting Interoperability Program

The Medical Assistance Promoting Interoperability Program (formerly known as the Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive Payment Program) is a federal program that provides funding to states to develop and administer provider electronic incentive programs.  States receive a 90/10 percent match for program administration expenses and a 100 percent match for provider incentive payments.  The program's intent has been to encourage provider adoption, implementation, and meaningful use of electronic health records. Eligible Professionals (EP) can be eligible to receive payments up to $63,750 (and $42,500 for Pediatricians) over a six-year period.

Pennsylvania's State Medicaid Health Information Technology Plan describes the administrative process and vision relative to implementing the Medicaid provisions contained in Section 4201 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  The Department of Human Services, in partnership with other agencies, has to lead the development of the State Medicaid Health Information Technology Plan and the implementation of health information technology.

Here are some helpful links:

State Medicaid Health Information Technology Plan is also known as SMHP — This document defines the department's approach to administering the Medical Assistance Electronic Health Records Incentive program. (NOTE: this document is undergoing revisions by PI Program stafff. We expect this process to be completed in Fall 2021.) 

Economic Recovery Act of 2009 — This link will provide more details on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which is the Act funding the program.   

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services — also known as CMS, This website provides an abundance of information about the incentive program, including eligibility, patient volume calculation, registration, and much more.

Office of the National Coordinator — This office is the principal federal entity charged with coordination of nationwide efforts to implement and use the most advanced health information technology for the electronic exchange of health information. A list of certified Electronic Health Records systems can be found at this website Click Here.

Pennsylvania Health Information Exchange — This link provides more details about a program that has a goal to create a secure statewide network for sharing electronic health information for Pennsylvania's health care providers and patients.