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WASHINGTON – Some regional extension centers (RECs) – federally funded healthcare IT resource centers to help providers adopt IT and qualify for meaningful use – will open nationwide in the next few weeks, according to federal officials.
Many of the 32 nationwide RECs that received a first wave of funding ($375 million on Feb. 12) are ready to open their doors in the next week or so, said David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at a Tuesday press conference.
On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued another $267 million in grants for an additional 28 RECs, bringing the total to 60 RECs, covering every part of the U.S. The RECs that received funding this week will need some time before they are ready to open, Blumenthal said.
Farzad Mostashari, senior advisor for the Office of the National Coordinator said the RECs will help providers get the most value from their healthcare IT systems and help them qualify for meaningful use bonuses on the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. They will also provide troubleshooting on hardware, software and project management. Legal experts will be available to help with privacy and security issues, Mostashari said.
Doctors and hospitals that have not purchased healthcare IT should not wait before contacting their REC, Mostashari added. RECs can advise providers on making a wise purchase.
HHS plans to have RECs target primary care physicians in small practices and small hospitals, in particular, that might need the most help, Blumenthal said.
"These are the types of doctors least likely to be able to afford support services in the private market," he added.
According to Blumenthal, RECs will provide assistance face-to-face, online and via phone and will have an office building staffed with employees in each region.
"What we are interested in providing is customer service," Blumenthal said. "In a large part, providers will define what's most useful."
Mostashari, who was responsible for running a pilot REC project in New York, said planning ahead is what will be of most use to providers. Allowing time to adjust to the workflow will make the transition to healthcare IT easier and faster, and will save money in the long run.
A complete list of all the RECs can be found here.
