CMS issues final rules on meaningful use for electronic health records
Providers can choose the measures of progress that are most meaningful to their practices.
New final rules to advance electronic health records make significant changes in current requirements, offering providers and physicians greater flexibility in meaningful use requirements, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
CMS released the final rules on Tuesday.
Providers can choose the measures of progress that are most meaningful to their practice and have more time to implement changes to program requirements, CMS said.
The new rules will ease the reporting burden for providers, support interoperability, and improve patient outcomes, according to CMS.
Providers are encouraged to apply for hardship exceptions if they need to switch or have other technology difficulties with their EHR vendor, CMS said.
Additionally, the new rules give more time to create user-friendly technologies that give patients easier access to their information.
In releasing the final rules, the Department of Health and Human Services made changes based on input from physicians and providers about the challenges of making the EHR technology work both for their practices and for patients, CMS said.
"By 2018, these rules move us beyond the staged approach of 'meaningful use' and focus on broader delivery system reform," said Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS deputy administrator for innovation and quality and chief medical officer. "Most importantly we are seeking additional public comments and plan for active engagement of stakeholders so we take time to get broad input on how to improve these programs over time."
There is a 60-day public comment period on the EHR Incentive Programs going forward, in particular with the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. The act established the Merit-based Incentive Payment System, consolidating certain aspects of quality measurements and federal incentive programs.
The feedback will be considered during rulemaking to implement the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, which is expected to be released in the spring of 2016.
The American Medical Association is pleased CMS and the Office of National Coordination listened to the concern of physicians in several key areas, said Dr. Steven J. Stack, president of the American Medical Association.
"In particular, the agency addressed the delay in issuing the modifications rule by allowing a hardship exemption for physicians who are unable to attest this year, providing needed relief for those uncertain about the 2015 program requirements," Stack said. "We also acknowledge that the agency is working to improve patient engagement by ensuring that patients can access portals while still providing flexibility in the measure requirements."
However, he said, more work needs to be done.
"The AMA recognizes that physicians continue to struggle with the Meaningful Use program, however, we hope the decision by CMS to leave Stage 3 open to additional comment will allow for further improvements in the program and promote technological innovation that supports patient care."
The Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records Incentive Programs aim to move the healthcare industry away from a paper-based system, in which a doctor's handwriting needed to be interpreted and patient files could be misplaced, CMS said.
In addition to the final rule for the EHR Incentive Programs, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology also announced the final rule for the 2015 Edition Health IT Certification Criteria.
This rule focuses on increasing interoperability – a secure but seamless flow of electronic health information – and improving transparency and competition in the health IT marketplace.
Twitter: @SusanJMorse
