The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is awarding more than $267 million to 28 additional non-profit organizations to establish Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers (RECs), which enable healthcare professionals to reach out to a local resource for technical assistance, guidance, and information on best practices.
This round of awards, which brings the total number of RECs to 60, will provide nationwide outreach and technical support services to at least 100,000 primary care providers and hospitals within two years, according to HHS. More than $375 million had been awarded earlier to RECs under this program.
Additionally, all REC awardees can now apply for a two-year expansion supplemental award, which would ensure that health IT support services are available to more than 2,000 critical access hospitals and rural hospitals. Approximately $25 million is available through this supplemental expansion program, it says.
For a list of the 28 organizations receiving funds, click here. For a complete listing of REC grant recipients and additional information about the Regional Extension Centers, see http://HealthIT.hhs.gov/programs/REC/.
