H.R. 3331, To amend Title XI of the Social Security Act to promote testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology

Floor Situation

On Tuesday, June 12, 2018, the House will consider H.R. 3331, to amend Title XI of the Social Security Act to promote testing of incentive payments for behavioral health providers for adoption and use of certified electronic health record technology, under suspension of the rules. This bill was introduced on July 20, 2017 by Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) and was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means. The Committee on Energy and Commerce ordered the bill reported, as amended, by voice vote on May 9, 2018.

Summary

H.R. 3331 authorizes the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a program offering incentive payments to behavioral health providers that adopt and use certified electronic health record technology.

Background

The U.S. government introduced the Meaningful Use program as part of the 2009 Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, to encourage health care providers to show "meaningful use" of a certified Electronic Health Record (EHR). In doing so, eligible providers who do so receive incentive payments, but behavioral health providers were not included in the definition of eligible providers. Individual physicians and other eligible health care professionals can each receive up to $44,000 through the Medicare Meaningful Use program or up to $63,750 through the Medicaid Meaningful Use program, depending upon when they begin attesting to the program's requirements.

Cost

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that implementing H.R 3331 would have no effect on federal spending (page 12).

Staff Contact

For questions or further information please contact Jake Vreeburg with the House Republican Policy Committee by email or at 2-1374.