Dentists who treat large numbers of Medicaid patients could get money for health information technology under a rule issued last month by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The February 2009 economic stimulus bill offers up to $63,750 each to healthcare professionals who digitize their patient records. But the legislation left it unclear how dentists could qualify.
The first problem is that the money can only be used for technology certified to meet U.S. government requirements, and so far nothing designed specifically for dental practices has been certified.
A second problem is that the money is earmarked for those doctors who demonstrate "meaningful use" of the technology, the AGD reported. In a Dec. 30, 2009 proposed rule, dentists would make "meaningful use" of the technology if 30% or more of the patients they treat over a 90-day period are Medicaid patients.
Other definitions of "meaningful use" apply to practitioners working at federal qualified health centers, treating Medicare patients, or working at acute hospitals.
