CCHIT updates certification programs for meaningful use proposals
The Certification Commission for Health IT (CCHIT) will update both of its EHR technology certification programs to conform to the interim final rule (IFR) of meaningful use recently released by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Applications will begin to be accepted Feb. 12.
The IFR was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 13, along with a notice of proposed rulemaking describing the meaningful use objectives and incentive payment schedules for adoption of certified EHRs.
“Our aim is to ensure that hospitals and doctors have enough time to purchase and implement certified EHRs and achieve meaningful use in time to qualify for HHS financial incentives in 2011 and 2012,” said Alisa Ray, the Commission’s executive director. “With eligibility for hospitals opening in October 2010, there is an urgent need for certification programs to be in place.”
The approximately two dozen vendors who have already achieved certification under CCHIT’s latest programs will be offered incremental testing at no fee to close any gaps, said Ray. For all other EHR vendors, the updated criteria and scripts will be published soon and applications will be accepted beginning Feb. 12.
The IFR was published in the Federal Register on Jan. 13, along with a notice of proposed rulemaking describing the meaningful use objectives and incentive payment schedules for adoption of certified EHRs.
“Our aim is to ensure that hospitals and doctors have enough time to purchase and implement certified EHRs and achieve meaningful use in time to qualify for HHS financial incentives in 2011 and 2012,” said Alisa Ray, the Commission’s executive director. “With eligibility for hospitals opening in October 2010, there is an urgent need for certification programs to be in place.”
The approximately two dozen vendors who have already achieved certification under CCHIT’s latest programs will be offered incremental testing at no fee to close any gaps, said Ray. For all other EHR vendors, the updated criteria and scripts will be published soon and applications will be accepted beginning Feb. 12.