MU chugging along

Meaningful Use Stage 3 is in the air, can you feel it? Even with so much focus (and debate) on Stage 2 in 2013, plans are continuing with Stage 3.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is seeking public comment on several new clinical quality measures (CQMs) for eligible professionals (EPs) that pertain to MU Stage 3.

CMS is requesting that stakeholders provide feedback on the measures related to overuse of diagnostic imaging for uncomplicated headaches and appropriate use of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans in women under 65 years who do not meet the risk factor profile.

The CMS notice suggested feedback in the following areas:

• Measures’ relevance to the mission of public reporting under the EHR Incentive Program component for EPs
• Usefulness of the measures to improve quality of care for patients
• Feasibility of data collection via EHRs for public reporting

Meanwhile, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report detailing the $6.3 billion in EHR incentive payments disbursed to eligible hospitals and medical professionals participating in the Meaningful Use program.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in 2012 disbursed incentive payments to 2,291 hospitals totaling $3.5 billion, up from $1.3 billion paid to 777 hospitals in 2011, according to the GAO report. Incentive payments for hospitals ranged from $4,827 to $4.7 million, with a median payment of $1.4 million.

According to the report, CMS has paid out $8.6 billion of the $30 billion allocated for the EHR incentive program since it launched in 2010.

Has your organization earned its share of the MU pie? Please share your experience.

Beth Walsh

Clinical Innovation + Technology editor