The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health, the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), and North Shore Medical Labs, Inc., have partnered to provide electronic health record (EHR) systems and support to underserved and physician shortage areas. AHIMA will provide six hours of web-based training pertaining to Health Information Technology (HIT) and EHRs will be donated by North Shore Medical Labs with services rendered by Nortec Software, Inc. to assist those physicians practicing in eligible areas across North Carolina. The goal of the program is to reduce health information disparities in areas with healthcare shortages.

Physicians who complete the program will receive EHR licenses, including subscription fees, for 12 months, 75 percent of which will be donated by North Shore Medical Labs, Inc. To participate, physicians must:

• Practice in a Medically Underserved Area (MUA) or Health Provider Shortage Area (HPSA) designated by HHS;
• Have internet connection and use an electronic billing system;
• Be a small practice group of one to five physicians (includes Federally Qualified Health Centers within a medically underserved area);
• Be eligible to receive meaningful use incentives; and
• Submit monthly reports.

For more information on how health care professionals can participate and to find if you are eligible, contact Bill Rudman, PhD, RHIA, AHIMA Foundation Executive Director and Vice President of Education Visioning, at [email protected] or Abid Sheikh, CEO of North Shore Medical Labs at [email protected].