Regional Extension Center

As part of the ARRA, Regional Extension Centers (REC) are funded in order to assist community physician practices with EMR implementation. REC services are available at no cost for up to 20 hours per provider for all primary care practices and many specialty practices. Working with the local REC is beneficial for physician practices in several ways:

1. The REC will assess your practice workflow and help optimize your practice for EMR implementation.
2. The REC can help you select a product that is most beneficial for your practice size and type.
3. The REC can help train your staff on EMR use and implementation.
4. The REC can help you understand the meaningful-use criteria in order to help ensure you receive the maximum amount of ARRA funding available.
5. The REC can help ensure you are compliant with privacy and security requirements.

Source: PA REACH East Website (http://www.pareacheast.org/Pages/Benefits.aspx)

For primary care practices (family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN), it is an attractive option to work with the REC because of the low cost services.  While the REC service rates for non-primary care physicians are not as attractive as for primary care physicians, the REC can still provide beneficial implementation services.  During the application process, the Main Line Health team will introduce you to our local REC.  The contact information for the REC in our area is provided below.

Anita Somplasky, RN: Executive Director PA Regional Extension Center
asomplasky@wvmi.org
Office: 877-346-6180 Ext. 7852