ONC, CMS respond to calls for MU relief
The news just came out yesterday but it’s sure to have a significant impact for quite some time: Meaningful Use is getting more flexibility.
A new proposed rule would provide eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals more flexibility in how they use certified EHR technology (CEHRT) to meet MU requirements.
The proposed rule, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), would let providers use the 2011 Edition CEHRT or a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition CEHRT for the EHR reporting period in 2014 for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.
Beginning in 2015, all eligible hospitals and professionals would still be required to report using 2014 Edition CEHRT. Since the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs began in 2011, more than 370,000 hospitals and professionals nationwide have received an incentive payment.
The proposed rule also includes a provision that would formalize CMS and ONC’s previously stated intention to extend Stage 2 through 2016 and begin Stage 3 in 2017. These proposed changes would address concerns raised by stakeholders and will encourage the continued adoption of CEHRT. “We are proposing this change for 2014 only," the rule reads. "We will maintain the existing policy that all providers must use 2014 Edition CEHRT for the EHR reporting periods in CY 2015, FY 2015, and in subsequent years or until new certification requirements are adopted in subsequent rulemaking.”
“Increasing the adoption of EHRs is key to improving the nation’s healthcare system and the steps we are taking today will give new options to those who, through no fault of their own, have been unable to get the new 2014 Edition technology, including those at high risk, such as smaller providers and rural hospitals,” said Karen DeSalvo, MD, MPH, MSc, national coordinator for health IT.
Will this rule provide the relief providers have been seeking? Time will tell.
Beth Walsh
Clinical Innovation + Technology editor
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.