CMS Final Rule Provides Greater Flexibility for Meeting EHR Meaningful Use Requirements

On August 29, 2014, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule allowing providers more flexibility in meeting the meaningful-use requirements for the electronic health records (EHR) incentive program. The final rule, which was an adoption of the May 2014 proposed rule, aims to assist providers in utilizing Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) by giving eligible providers another year to continue using the 2011 Edition CEHRT, or a combination of the 2011 and 2014 Edition CEHRT. However, providers should be aware that in 2015 they are required to use the 2014 Edition CEHRT software.

Additionally, the final rule extends Stage 2 of meaningful use through 2016, thus delaying implementation of Stage 3. For those providers who first became meaningful users of EHR in 2011 or 2012, Stage 3 of meaningful use is now scheduled to begin in 2017. According to CMS, the updates in the final rule will better enable providers to participate and meet meaningful use objectives, including:

• Electronic prescribing;
• Checking for drug allergies and interactions;
• Providing clinical summaries to patients;
• Reporting on key public health data; and
• Reporting on quality measures.

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