Last week we saw the release of $851 million in grant funds to the nation’s community health centers. Selected centers may choose to allocate some of their grant funding towards either the adoption or expansion of health IT solutions. This being the first of the major grants distributions from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA), it can also be viewed as a reminder to all general practice physicians that the time for them to be eligible to receive qualified funding is nearing.

In the most recent NextGen HIT Stimulus Update video I stated that physicians should be making their HIT purchasing decisions now. Physicians should not be lead astray by possible confusion around meaningful use, but rather take the information they do have and make the best-informed decision they can for their practice. The CHC grant release announcement is proof that this is the case Why would the government release such a large portion of money for HIT investment if it was not comfortable that there was sufficient information on meaningful use for providers to select the right IT solutions- remember CHC’s have to comply with meaningful use as well.

Whether a CHC or an independent medical provider, begin your selection process now- 2011 is only 18 months away.