Physicians can qualify for a portion of the $19 billion set aside to provide incentives as part of the government's meaningful use program, and a new analysis suggests that many are already cashing in.

CMS officials told Modern Healthcare that the agency paid out $2.5 billion in meaningful use incentive payments in 2011. Furthermore, that figure could continue to go up, as physicians have until February 2012 to report their 2011 numbers.

The Medicare arm of the program saw the greatest participation, as it paid out $1.3 billion, while the Medicaid portion rang up $1.15 billion in payments.

Robert Anthony, a specialist at CMS' Office of eHealth Standards and Services, told the news source that it appears much of the payments went out in December of last year, which would indicate that participation in the program is increasing steeply.

In order for a physician to maximize their incentive payments, they must begin participating in the meaningful use program no later than 2012. The new report suggests that many physicians are jumping on the opportunity to get ahead of the game.