Grants for Health Information Technology

Hospitals, health care facilities and insurance companies use different forms of health information technology to convey important patient information, administrative forms and other medical data in a secure manner. Health information technology can improve the nation's health care system by preventing human error, reducing administrative fees, tracking outbreaks of disease, evaluating the efficiency of medicines and much more. Individuals, research agencies and universities looking to explore or develop a new health information technology system can apply for a financial grant.

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Grants

• The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Grant (AHRQ), a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers the grant program "Utilizing Health Information Technology to Improve Health Care Quality." The purpose of the funding program from AHRQ is to provide financial assistance for projects that aim to use new forms of health information technology to improve the quality of health care in ambulatory settings. This refers to any health care services that are delivered before patients reach a hospital or health care facility, including those offered by paramedics and ambulatory agencies. The amount of awarded funds varies depending upon each proposal. The AHRQ grants cannot exceed $1.2 million over three years.

  Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

  Office of Communications and Knowledge Transfer

  540 Gaither Road, Suite 2000

  Rockville, MD 20850

  301-427-1104

  ahrq.gov

Health Resources and Services Administration Grants

• The Health Resources and Services Administration, also a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, offers Health Information Technology Planning Grants. The grants are available for non-profit, public or private health care centers that plan on adopting Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems or similar types of electronic record-keeping systems. The grants are intended to cover planning costs related to the implementation of such systems. The award of the Health Information Technology Planning Grant is $500,000.

  Health Resources and Services Administration

  877-464-4772

  grants.hrsa.gov

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Grants

• As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology can award a grant to any non-profit organization aside from institutions of higher learning. The Health Information Technology Extension Program provides financial assistance to organizations seeking to implement new forms of electronic record technology. The minimum grant amount is $1 million and the maximum grant amount is $30 million.

  Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology

  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

  200 Independence Ave. S.W., Suite 729-D

  Washington, DC 20201

  202-690-7151

  healthit.hhs.gov