Carrots and sticks for EHR implementation.

Questions providers should consider in determining whether to meet standards for meaningful use of EHR technology in time to receive incentive funds and avoid monetary sanctions include: Is the incentive meaningful? Is it feasible to meet the standards for demonstrating meaningful use in time to qualify for the incentive? Is the incentive real? Is the "adjustment" sufficiently motivating? Is it better to go for the incentive or simply attempt to avoid the adjustment?