The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) announces the Point of Care Model Electronic Health Record Grants Program Requirements, 2008-2009. The Agency will accept applications for grants from eligible interested parties beginning October 3, 2008. Awards are contingent upon authorization of the Legislature, subject to the availability of funds. Grant funding for fiscal year 2008-2009 is $100,000.

PURPOSE: The program provides assistance to eligible organizations to implement outpatient clinic information technology emphasizing case management. Grant projects must demonstrate a model health information technology solution that provides access to patient medical records for case management, demonstrate and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the software deployed in supporting case management of patients, encourage appropriate utilization of outpatient clinic services resulting in a reduction of emergency department visits, and demonstrate a reduction of health care costs. Applicants should demonstrate that the recommended technology has a record of proven success in case management and health care cost reduction resulting from operating in outpatient clinics.

ELIGIBILITY: Florida-based public and private institutions, health plans, information technology providers, public health departments, and units of local government. The proposed technical solution must be certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT). See program requirements for documentation that must be submitted.

TO APPLY: Program requirements, the application format, and instructions will be posted at: www.fhin.net/POCGrant. Letters of intent are due by October 17, 2008. Inquiries regarding program requirements must be submitted by October 17, 2008. Applications are due November 3, 2008.

INQUIRIES AND CONTACTS: All inquiries must be submitted by e-mail to FLHII@ahca.myflorida.com. Answers to inquiries received by October 17, 2008 will be made available on the grants program website: www.fhin.net/POCGrant. Applicants are responsible for checking the website regularly throughout the application, evaluation, and award process for any announcements. Applicants may not contact Agency personnel regarding advice in responding in this solicitation. Any violation of this requirement may result in applicant disqualification. All general correspondence relating to the grant program should be directed to: Point of Care Model Electronic Health Record Grants Program, Florida Center for Health Information and Policy Analysis, Agency for Health Care Administration, 2727 Mahan Drive, Mail Stop #16, Tallahassee, FL 32308.