Use and characteristics of electronic health record systems among office-based physician practices: United States, 2001-2013

Abstract

In 2013, 78% of office-based physicians used any type of electronic health record (EHR) system, up from 18% in 2001. In 2013, 48% of office-based physicians reported having a system that met the criteria for a basic system, up from 11% in 2006. The percentage of physicians with basic systems by state ranged from 21% in New Jersey to 83% in North Dakota. In 2013, 69% of office-based physicians reported that they intended to participate (i.e., they planned to apply or already had applied) in "meaningful use" incentives. About 13% of all office-based physicians reported that they both intended to participate in meaningful use incentives and had EHR systems with the capabilities to support 14 of the Stage 2 Core Set objectives for meaningful use. From 2010 (the earliest year that trend data are available) to 2013, physician adoption of EHRs able to support various Stage 2 meaningful use objectives increased significantly. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 authorized incentive payments to increase physician adoption of electronic health record (EHR) systems (1,2). The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are staged in three steps, with increasing requirements for participation. To receive an EHR incentive payment, physicians must show that they are "meaningfully using" certified EHRs by meeting certain objectives (3,4). This report describes trends in the adoption of EHR systems from 2001 through 2013, as well as physicians' intent to participate in the EHR Incentive Programs and their readiness to meet 14 of the Stage 2 Core Set objectives for meaningful use in 2013.