The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) as they adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. This program, part of the 2009 Economic Stimulus Act, is a $20 million program, with up to $44,000 available for eligible professionals.
From a tax perspective, this means that eliglible medical professionals receiving these incentives may be taxed on this extra income in the form of bonus Medicare and Medicaid payments.
With bonus and 179 depreciation programs in effect for 2011, you may be able to deduct the entire purchase of hardware and software necessary to implement these mandated programs, thus offsetting the increased taxable income provided by the incentive payments.
Eligible medical professional should act quick! Incentives are only available from 2011 – 2014 and will be phased out completely by 2015 with EHR being mandated!
For more information about the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, visit http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms.com
For more information on the tax implications of this incentive program and how to take advantage of tax saving opportunities, contact Schutte & Hilgendorf, CPAs, a prescott accounting firm providing tax planning, preparation, audit, accounting and QuickBooks consulting to the greater Yavapai County area. Phone: 928-778-0079 or website: www.prescottaccountants.com
