CMS Considers Shortening the Meaningful Use Reporting Period

On January 29, 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) announced that it will consider shortening the meaningful use reporting period for electronic health record (“EHR”) systems. Specifically, CMS stated that it intends to reduce the 2015 reporting period from 12 months to 90 days. Under the meaningful use incentive program, providers have faced the risk of a Medicare penalty if they failed to satisfy the program’s requirements. A shortened reporting period of 90 days may increase compliance with Stage 2 of the program and reduce the reporting burden on providers. Additionally, providers can schedule their reporting period for the second half of 2015, providing additional time for providers to implement the EHR systems at Stage 2.

In a statement following CMS’s announcement, the President of the American Medical Association (“AMA”), Steven J. Stack, MD, expressed the organization’s support of the proposed shortening of the reporting period. However, Stack criticized the incentive program, stating that “EHRs are intended to help physicians improve care for their patients, but unfortunately, today’s EHR certification standards and the stringent requirements of the meaningful-use program do not support that goal and decrease efficiency.”

In its announcement, CMS also stated its intent to align the meaningful use reporting periods to the calendar year in an effort to give hospitals more time to integrate the 2014 Edition software and better coordinate with CMS quality programs. Although the proposed changes to the reporting period will not delay CMS’s rollout of the forthcoming Stage 3 proposed rule, expected in March, CMS plans to limit the scope of the Stage 3 proposed rule to the criteria and requirements for meaningful use in 2017 and subsequent years.

Wachler & Associates will continue to monitor CMS rule making and guidance related to EHR meaningful use criteria, as well as other breaking healthcare news. If you need help understanding the meaningful use requirements or assistance with negotiating EHR contracts, please contact an experienced healthcare attorney at 248-544-0888 or email at wapc@wachler.com.