Netsmart Technologies' Insight Public Health Software Passes ARRA Certification Tests

GREAT RIVER, N.Y., April 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Netsmart Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of software and services for health and human services organizations, today announced that its Insight 7.0 public health electronic health record (EHR) software successfully completed ARRA ONC-ATCB certification testing for the 21 ARRA certification tests for which it was submitted, earning a Certificate of EHR Compliance for 19 General and Ambulatory criteria.

Insight 7.0 software, in conjunction with Netsmart's e-prescribing, consumer Web portal and health information exchange (HIE) interoperability technology, will help local health departments meet the criteria and take advantage of the significant funding provided for the Meaningful Use of EHRs. Netsmart plans to complete the 13 remaining ARRA tests by the third quarter of 2011 to make Insight 7.0 software a Complete Ambulatory ARRA-certified EHR. Insight software is unique among ambulatory practice management and EHR solutions because it is designed to meet the specific requirements of local health departments.

The successful testing of Insight 7.0 software included passage of nine required security-related modules and other tests in such areas as health information exchange connectivity, monitoring smoking status, capturing vital signs, plotting growth charts, providing client-specific education resources, generating client lists and reminders, and maintaining an up-to-date problem list.

Testing was conducted under Drummond Group's Electronic Health Records ONC-ATCB program. Drummond Group, Inc., is an Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB) named by the Office of the National Coordinator to provide meaningful use certification for EHR systems and applications.

"This achievement further demonstrates Netsmart's full commitment to preparing our software and our customers for achieving Meaningful Use," said James L. Conway, chief executive officer, Netsmart Technologies. "With this latest certification of our Insight public health software, all three of Netsmart's enterprise solutions have either achieved or will soon achieve complete ARRA certification."

Local health departments must use an ARRA-certified EHR and meet all required criteria to qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments for the Meaningful Use of EHR technology. Health departments are currently eligible for ARRA incentives based on the number of Eligible Professionals (EPs), such as physicians and nurse practitioners, in their organization, assuming the organization meets criteria for Meaningful Use of a certified EHR and the professionals assign their incentives to the organization. The total benefit for Medicaid Eligible Professionals is $63,750 per EP over a six-year period – a significant financial incentive for organizations.

In the first year of participation in the Medicaid Meaningful Use funding program, healthcare providers need only adopt (purchase) an ARRA-certified EHR to meet the Meaningful Use requirement of using an ARRA-certified EHR. There is no requirement to demonstrate Meaningful Use in the first year, and no EHR reporting is required. Eligible providers who have already adopted, implemented or upgraded to an ARRA-certified EHR would also receive a first year payment.

To learn more about how Netsmart can help public health and behavioral health organizations qualify for Meaningful Use incentives, visit www.ntst.com/meaningfuluse

About Netsmart Technologies, Inc.

Netsmart Technologies is an established, leading supplier of software-as-a service (SaaS) and

internally-installed software solutions for health and human services providers. More than 18,000 customer organizations, including 350,000 care providers and more than 40 state systems, use Netsmart products to help improve the quality of life for millions of people each year.

Netsmart customers include public health departments, mental health and substance abuse treatment agencies, psychiatric hospitals, private and group mental health practices, vital records offices, and managed care organizations. Netsmart's products are full-featured information systems that operate on a variety of operating systems, hardware platforms, and mobile devices, and offer unlimited scalability.

Netsmart provides the solutions and expertise that help its customers meet all the criteria for Meaningful Use of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. These include a Complete ARRA-Certified electronic health record and associated solutions, including Netsmart OrderConnect™ for e-prescribing and order entry, Netsmart CareConnect™ that enables the sharing of clinical information with labs and other providers, and the Netsmart ConsumerConnect™ Web portal to provide secure and private consumer access to their care information. Netsmart customers can utilize Netsmart solutions to meet all Stage 1 Meaningful Use criteria, avoiding the costly and time-consuming process of integrating solutions from multiple vendors.

Netsmart's Connected Care initiative allows public and behavioral healthcare providers to share clinical data electronically within their internal processes, externally with other providers, and with consumers via a Web-based portal, enabling high quality, consumer-directed care.

For information about Netsmart Technologies' full range of solutions for health and human services organizations, visit www.ntst.com or call 1-800-472-5509.

The Insight 7.0 EHR Module is 2011/2012 compliant and has been certified by the Drummond Group, an ONC-ATCB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments.

Insight, Netsmart OrderConnect, Netsmart CareConnect and Netsmart ConsumerConnect are trademarks of Netsmart Technologies, Inc.

SOURCE Netsmart Technologies, Inc.