Legislators introduce Flex-IT Act to counter MU final rule
This important legislation would ensure that health care providers receive the flexibility they need to successfully comply with HHS' Meaningful Use Program.
On August 29th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a short-sighted final rule, maintaining a provision that requires providers to perform a full-year EHR reporting period in 2015. It is unclear why HHS insisted on such a timeframe, given the difficulties faced by providers in 2014.
The Flex-IT Act will allow providers to report their Health IT upgrades in 2015 through a 90-day reporting period as opposed to a full year. This shortened reporting period would be an important first step in addressing the many challenges faced by doctors, hospitals and other medical providers due to the inflexible mandates of the Meaningful Use Program.
- See more at: http://www.noodls.com/view/03307EB779E1C29289F9EB608EF969CEB88106C5?565xxx1410907948#sthash.OgHCFzGH.dpufThis important legislation would ensure that health care providers receive the flexibility they need to successfully comply with HHS' Meaningful Use Program.
On August 29th, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a short-sighted final rule, maintaining a provision that requires providers to perform a full-year EHR reporting period in 2015. It is unclear why HHS insisted on such a timeframe, given the difficulties faced by providers in 2014.
The Flex-IT Act will allow providers to report their Health IT upgrades in 2015 through a 90-day reporting period as opposed to a full year. This shortened reporting period would be an important first step in addressing the many challenges faced by doctors, hospitals and other medical providers due to the inflexible mandates of the Meaningful Use Program.
- See more at: http://www.noodls.com/view/03307EB779E1C29289F9EB608EF969CEB88106C5?565xxx1410907948#sthash.OgHCFzGH.dpufThe act is a response to the final rule published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Aug. 29 that upholds a provision that requires providers to perform a full-year EHR reporting period in 2015. The Flex-IT Act will allow providers to report their health IT upgrades in 2015 through a 90-day reporting period instead. With such a low rate of attestation for Meaningful Use Stage 2 to date, a high number of eligible hospitals need to be Stage 2-compatible by Oct. 1. Eligible professionals have more time but only 1.3 percent have met Stage 2 requirements at this point. An adjustment of the reporting timeline would allow providers to choose any three-month quarter in 2015, offering additional time and flexibility. The College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) offered its support of the Flex-IT Act. "The misstep by officials to require a full-year of reporting using 2014 Edition certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) in 2015 puts many eligible hospitals and physicians at risk of not meeting Meaningful Use next year and hinders the intended impact of the program," said Russell P. Branzell, CHCIO, president and CEO. "To date; only 143 hospitals have met Stage 2 to date, representing a very small percentage of the 3,800 hospitals required to be Stage 2-ready within the next 14 days."
Editor
Editor Beth earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s in health communication. She has worked in hospital, academic and publishing settings over the past 20 years. Beth joined TriMed in 2005, as editor of CMIO and Clinical Innovation + Technology. When not covering all things related to health IT, she spends time with her husband and three children.