Health Information Management

Meaningful use first draft could guide final definition

HIM Connection, June 23, 2009

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The Health Information Technology Policy Committee stressed on Tuesday that the meaningful use definitions recommended by a study committee this week are merely a nonbinding "first step" in a complex winnowing process. The final product could change a great deal when CMS issues a proposed rule change for a 60-day public comment period at the end of 2009.

However, David Blumenthal, MD, HHS’ national coordinator for health information technology, did not dismiss the idea that components in Tuesday’s first draft definition of meaningful use would remain in the final rules, which will be phased in from 2011 to 2015.

"It’s going to be up to your readers to decide what they can read into the discussions that occurred today and what they can't," Blumenthal told HealthLeaders Media after Tuesday’s three-hour meeting. "I suspect that as this discussion proceeds, certain themes will recur. I’ve certainly said publicly that we are very intent on using the meaningful use authority and the high-tech legislation to lay the ground work for improved health system performance."

To read this full article, visit www.healthleadersmedia.com.



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