In recent years, the federal government has made the use of technology in medicine an increasing priority. The government has promoted its implementation through such things as bonus payments in the Medicare and Medicaid programs for the use of electronic prescribing and for the use of qualified electronic medical records. Under several of these federal programs, providers who do not begin using the technology are slated to be hit with “penalties” in the way of decreased Medicare reimbursements in upcoming years.
Part of the rationale for the government’s promotion of technology is its increased emphasis on the importance of clinical integration. The government has made clear that there should be more communication between and among health care providers. This is a theme that permeates the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), better known as the health care reform legislation.
