# Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act

In 
Laws, 

# Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Initialisms

Short Form Full Form
ARRA American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
EHR Electronic Health Record
HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
HITECH Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health

# Overview

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and creates incentives related to health care information technology, including incentives for the use of electronic health record (EHR) systems among providers.

Because HITECH legislation results in an expansion in the exchange of electronic protected health information (ePHI), it also widens the scope of privacy and security protections under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), including increasing legal liability for non-compliance and more enforcement actions.

# Noteworthy

  • The HITECH Act was created to stimulate the adoption of EHR and supporting technology.
  • The HITECH Act provides financial incentives for the meaningful use of certified qualified EHRs.

# Sources