CMS expands state access to matching funds for Medicaid EHR programs

State expenditures to help providers in Medicaid Electronic Health Records Programs exchange health information with other Medicaid providers may be eligible for federal matching funds under the HITECH Act, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced this week in a letter to state Medicaid directors. CMS said it is expanding its interpretation of the scope of state expenditures eligible for a 90% federal match under the Act, “given the greater importance of coordination of care across providers and transitions of care in Meaningful Use modified Stage 2 and Stage 3.” Subject to CMS prior approval, states may be able to claim the 90% HITECH match for expenditures related to connecting eligible providers to other Medicaid providers, the agency said.