Health Information Management

CMS, ONC propose additional changes to the EHR Incentive Programs

HIM-HIPAA Insider, June 2, 2014

Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!

by Jaclyn Fitzgerald, Editor

 
CMS and ONC recently published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would offer enhanced flexibility for organizations using certified EHR technology (CEHRT) and working toward meaningful use attestation.
 
The rule proposes allowing eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals to use 2011 edition CEHRT or a combination of 2011 and 2014 editions for the 2014 EHR Meaningful Use reporting period. These providers would be required to use the 2014 edition of CEHRT. Providers would still be required to use the 2014 edition of CEHRT through calendar and fiscal years 2015 and beyond. The rule would also extend the timeline for Stage 2 Meaningful Use through 2016, which means Stage 3 would begin in 2017.
 
EHR vendors reported to CMS that they did not have enough time to update their products to meet the 2014 edition CEHRT requirements following the release of the Stage 2 final rule. In addition, a backlog in certifying new editions of EHRs led to a delay in deploying the technology and implementing it at organizations. The proposed changes should allow organizations to continue using EHR technology and working toward attestation while waiting for a 2014 edition CEHRT, according to the Federal Register.
 
CMS and ONC will accept comments on this proposed rule until 5 p.m. July 21.
 
Learn more about CMS’ EHR Incentive Programs.



Want to receive articles like this one in your inbox? Subscribe to HIM-HIPAA Insider!

Most Popular