Specialists, primary care providers differ in meaningful use

The Health IT Policy Committee is wrestling with the underlying differences between how primary care providers and specialists such as oncologists and cancer treatment centers might use health IT most productively. The panel is working on what should be required of providers to show meaningful use of health IT to be eligible for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments. The policy committee, which will meet Oct. 27 and 28, will focus on how to map meaningful use objectives to medical specialties as well as small practices and hospitals.