The California Department of Health Care Services has awarded the California Health Information Partnership & Services Organization (CalHIPSO) a $15 million Medi-Cal electronic health record (EHR) incentive program technical assistance award.

Other organizations also given EHR technical assistance awards include the Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center, the CalOptima Regional Extension Center and Object Health.

Over the next three years, these organizations will assist more than 3,000 providers who are eligible professionals in the Medi-Cal EHR Incentive Program. Technical assistance will include areas such as patient portal and health information exchange implementation, as well as program assistance for progression through Meaningful Use Stage 2.

The California Medical Association (CMA) was instrumental in securing the funds for these awards, ensuring the 2014 state budget included $4 million in state funding in order to draw down an additional $40 million in federal matching funds.

CalHIPSO was founded by CMA, the California Primary Care Association, and the California Association of Public Health Hospitals and Health Systems to provide education, outreach and technical assistance to help primary care providers achieve meaningful use.