Baylor Health Care System has received $8.7 million in Medicaid funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. Seven Baylor hospitals qualified for the funds based on their implementation of an Electronic Health Record (EHR), while meeting Medicaid volume thresholds.
Baylor is investing more than $250 million in EHR technology, which is expected to increase efficiency, as well as reduce costs, redundancies and mistakes, and provide a better overall health care experience for both patients and caregivers. ARRA mandates that all hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid implement what is deemed "meaningful use" of EHR by 2014. Future Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates for all health care providers will be affected by a provider's ability to meet meaningful use criteria.
"These funds are important to help leverage the investment we began on our own in an effort to bring this vital technology to our patients as quickly as possible," says Fred Savelsbergh, Baylor's chief financial officer. "EHR represents a new era in the way health care is delivered nationwide, and we are proud to be recognized as a leader in that effort."
Baylor is in various stages of EHR implementation at all its medical centers. The seven Baylor facilities to receive funds totaling more than $8.7 million include:
- Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth - $2,109,332
- Our Children's Houseat Baylor - $1,887,750
- Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas -$1,549,551
- Baylor Medical Center at Irving -$987,037
- Baylor Medical Center at Carrollton - $917,772
- Baylor Medical Center at Garland -$911,196
- Baylor Medical Center at Waxahachie - $369,436
Total $8,732,074
CONTACT: Nikki Mitchell
214-820-6961
nikkimit@baylorhealth.edu
About Baylor Scott & White Health
As the largest not-for-profit health system in the state of Texas, Baylor Scott & White is empowering customers to live well by reimagining traditional healthcare — creating more convenient, personalized and informed experiences. It serves more than three million customers through 55 hospitals, including flagship academic medical centers in Dallas, Fort Worth and Temple; the Baylor Scott & White Research Institute; 1,300+ access points; 59,000+ team members; and its leading digital platform — MyBSWHealth. The system's award-winning employer solutions include Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Baylor Scott & White Quality Alliance and Levanto — a company offering digitally enabled health products. Founded as a Christian ministry of healing more than a century ago, Baylor Scott & White's mission is to promote the health and well-being of all individuals, families and communities. For more information, visit: BSWHealth.com