By Healthcare Facilities Today

Government Health IT has reported that electronic health record vendors are encountering difficulties getting their products certified for use under Stage 2 of the meaningful use program, according to an article on the iHealthBeat website,

Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.

A Modern Healthcare review found that as of September 25, fewer software developers had certified electronic health record systems for use by health care providers under Stage 2 meaningful use requirements than under Stage 1 of the program, according to the article.

The report found that only 79 companies, providers and other health care organizations had developed software that was tested and certified to meet standards for Stage 2 of the program. In comparison, there were 988 developers of health IT systems that were tested and certified for Stage 1 of the program.

Read the article.