Physicians Concerned with Cost of EHR and Lack Understanding of ARRA Incentives

A recent survey found that cost is the top concern among physicians considering electronic health records (EHRs) for their practices.  Also, survey respondents had limited understanding of the financial assistance for implementing an EHR system now available to physicians through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Ingenix conducted the online survey of 1,001 U.S. physicians and physician practice administrators to gauge attitudes toward EHR technologies, and to understand how federal stimulus incentives might affect purchase decisions.

Key findings include:

* More than half (58 percent) of respondents have little or no familiarity with the ARRA, while 42 percent have some familiarity with its provisions.

* Still, 82 percent say they are more likely to purchase EHR technologies if they are reimbursed for their investment, including 34 percent who would be much more likely to do so.

* Additionally, 77 percent say that penalties for not adopting EHR technology by 2014, as prescribed by the provisions of the ARRA stimulus, are likely to motivate them to implement the technology.