A new study from Avalere paints a gloomy picture for health information technology (IT) incentives included in the stimulus package. Many physicians, particularly those in small practices of one to three practitioners, will face significant upfront implementation costs for health IT ($124,000 over five years, with only $44,000 in incentives coming in).  Many may perceive themselves better off financially by paying a penalty for non-compliance.

We must reach out to these docs to communicate the bigger picture: reduced costs and gained efficiencies—not to mention higher quality care for our patients. Getting engaged in health IT will provide the best chance of keeping smaller practices viable in the coming era of payment reform.

*** Image from Flickr (aranarth). ***