An electronic record of health-related information on an individual that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff across more than one healthcare organization.

MSOs offer centralized administrative and hosted technology services and are considered a viable alternative to the traditional EHR client-server model where the technology is maintained locally at the provider site. MSOs enable physicians to access patient records wherever access to the Internet exists. These organizations are capable of supporting multiple EHR products at reduced costs through economies of scale and bulk purchasing. Technical support usually extends beyond the standard business hours and in some instances is available on a 24/7 basis.  Data is safeguarded through a network operating center that, by design, ensures high quality and uninterrupted service. Remotely hosted EHRs enable providers to focus on practicing medicine rather than dedicating staff to support the application and technology.

Under ARRA, Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments will be available to eligible healthcare providers, such as physicians and hospitals. In order to receive payments, providers must demonstrate meaningful use of a certified EHR system. At this time, Medicare and Medicaid Services have released proposed rules for Meaningful Use and an initial set of standards, which were officially posted to the Federal register on January 13, 2010. Public comments were due March 15, 2010 on the proposed Meaningful Use proposed rule. Additionally, ONC released a proposed rule on the establishment of two certification programs for testing an verifying health information technology systems.

A regional center serving a defined geographic area to support priority primary care providers in achieving meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) and enabling nationwide health information exchange (HIE).

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) was established within the Office of Health and Human Services (HSS) in 2004 by Executive Order 13335, and codified in the ARRA legislation.  The ONC serves as the lead advisor to the Secretary of HSS on a wide range of issues surrounding Healthcare IT, to include Regional Extension Centers and Health Information Exchange.

Health Information Exchange, or HIE, is a way of instantly and securely sharing health information among approved doctors’ offices, hospitals, labs, radiology centers, and other health organizations. HIE allows delivery of the right health information to the right place at the right time, providing safer, more timely, efficient, patient-centered care.