Physicians Collect More Medicare Meaningful Use Payments in February Than Hospitals

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For the first time, physicians received more cash in Medicare meaningful use bonuses than hospitals in a single month, according to an American Medical News report.

The most recent data shows that in February, 12,365 physicians and other eligible professionals received $222.6 million in Medicare meaningful use incentives compared to 84 hospitals receiving $129.9 million.

The number of physicians and other professionals qualifying for Medicare meaningful use in February and the amount of incentive money collected was equal to their participation and bonus numbers in December 2011 and January combined. Hospital totals have dropped since peaking at 193 facilities and $374.7 million in bonuses.

More physicians and eligible professionals have been collecting Medicaid meaningful use bonuses but at smaller numbers than the hospitals.  

In February, 4,920 physicians and eligible professionals collected $103.3 million in Medicaid meaningful use bonuses. Those numbers have risen every month since Medicaid incentive payments were first available in January 2011. Meanwhile, 172 hospitals collected $140.8 million in Medicaid incentives, down from a peak of 347 hospitals collecting $289.1 million in December 2011.

More Articles on Meaningful Use:

Ahead of the Meaningful Use Curve: Q&A With CEO Chuck Sted and CIO Steve Robertson of Hawaii Pacific Health
ONC's Meaningful Use Director Josh Seidman: MU Less About Technology, More About Patient Care
HIMSS: Ongoing Deficit Battle Will Not Threaten Meaningful Use Funds

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