The Vermont Information Technology Leaders, Inc. (VITL) with Chittenden Bank has created a loan program to help Vermont physician practices finance electronic health records systems. Various financing options for qualified applicants are available from the bank directly and also through partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies.
Dr. David Cochran, VITL’s President and CEO, said, “Starting next year, the federal government will make available financial incentives to physicians who use EHRs in a meaningful way. However, physicians will first have to invest in the technology and integrate the technology into their practices. The loan program is structured to provide flexibility for physicians that may want to incorporate both the hard and soft costs of transitioning to an electronic platform.”
Vermont physician practices interested in applying for loans can obtain more information and discuss relevant loan terms by calling Jami Rivers at Chittenden Bank at (802) 660-1309.
In addition, VITL has reached out to help physicians obtain and use computerized systems by naming Fletcher Allen Health Care as a VITL “Preferred EHR Partner”. One of the criteria for being named a Preferred EHR Partners is that the software used must be available to exchange data with other EHRs via the Vermont Health Information Exchange operated by VITL.
Fletcher Allen has implemented their Patient Record and Information Systems Management (PRISM) EHR system in the inpatient areas of their hospital and is in the process of rolling it out to the ambulatory care sites.
Through the PRISM Regional Program, Fletcher Allen is also offering the EHR system to physician practices and hospitals statewide. This will enable hundreds of healthcare providers to access a shared database. “While we realize that not all providers in our service area will choose to use PRISM, the system will provide a link between Fletcher Allen and providers using other types of EHR systems,” said Chuck Podesta, Chief Information Officer at Fletcher Allen.
Fletcher Allen is VITL’s second announced Preferred EHR Partner. The first partner was Allscripts, and VITL is now reviewing other applications from EHR vendors and may select additional Preferred EHR Partners in the future.
For more information, contact Steve Larose, Vice President, External Affairs, at starose@vitl.net.
