BARRINGTON, IL – GE Healthcare and GE Capital are expanding their healthcare IT interest-free loan program to include new purchases of GE Healthcare's Centricity Business suite.

GE will be extending the purchasing options associated with its Stimulus Simplicity program, including offering 0 percent payment terms and deferred payments until 2012, company officials announced Wednesday.

Stimulus Simplicity, launched in June, is a combined offering of GE Healthcare and GE Capital focused on simplifying the purchase of electronic medical records and electronic health records for providers ranging from physicians to hospital systems. Designed to remove several of the most commonly recognized barriers to initial investment for healthcare providers, the program also offers a certification warranty on EMR solutions from Centricity.

"We found many providers looking beyond EMR to realize the benefits healthcare information technology could bring," said Vishal Wanchoo, president and CEO of GE Healthcare IT, based in Barrington, Ill. "We are excited about our ongoing collaboration with GE Capital and the fact it has enabled us to deliver a solution to extend the program's value."

Centricity Business delivers financial and administrative capabilities to help customers drive organizational efficiencies and improve revenue cycle management. Officials say Centricity Business is desigedn to help customers of all sizes achieve higher productivity, faster payments, decreased costs and improved patient service.

Stimulus Simplicity payment terms will now be available on all new purchases of Centricity Enterprise, Centricity EMR and Centricity Business.

GE executives say they have seen strong interest in the program, and demand currently exceeds $140 million in sales opportunities.

"Our customers recognize the valuable and unprecedented opportunity provided by the Stimulus Simplicity program," said Jim Corrigan, vice president and general manager of GE Healthcare IT. "With Centricity Business added to the offering for new customers, GE furthers its commitment to providing solutions that help ensure healthcare organizations can focus on providing high-quality patient care."