Wyoming deploying free (but not open source) EHR system

The Wyoming Department of Health, in partnership with Medical Informatics Engineering, a web-based, Minimally Invasive™ electronic health record (EHR) provider, today announced that it is the first state to offer a free, fully certified EHR to any and all Medicaid providers in Wyoming. MIE's WebChart EHR will help providers in the state demonstrate meaningful use and qualify for American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) incentives while also helping their practice, and the state, improve patient care.

"Initially, we had a limited EHR adoption rate in Wyoming because many of our physicians come from small to mid-sized practices and were unable to find a cost effective and efficient EHR solution that wouldn't disrupt workflow," said James Bush, M.D. and Medical Director of the Wyoming Department of Health. "Many of our physicians also believed that there was no point in having an EHR if it didn't connect with a health information exchange (HIE), hospitals, labs, pharmacies and/or other physician specialists."

"By offering a free EHR to Medicaid providers, we are able to test the notion of electronic health records with minimal risk to the physician while also integrating all health data from participating Medicaid physicians into the Wyoming Department of Health's HIE. This gives us a big picture look at the state's biggest health issues and helps us strategically address these issues."