UPMC Shares Data with State, Enjoys Federal Subsidies

UPMC has created a real-time electronic reporting system that provides information to Pennsylvania's immunization registry. They are doing this as part of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Meaningful Use Program.

According to the programs page, the program provides incentive payments to professionals, hospitals and critical access hospitals as they adopt or implement use of medical records technology to improve health care for those on Medicare or Medicaid. UPMC would be entitled to federal dollars for the amount of Medicare or Medicaid patients that receive care but this system will be applied to all of their patients.

Frank Caniglia, Chief of the Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization System says there are other systems similarly providing information to the state's system which has been in place since 2000. Eight million people of all ages are currently registered, usually as they receive vaccinations. UPMC is the largest of the systems currently providing electronic data to the state.

He called it a good thing for public health.