Whether you are in the process of selecting an EHR or already have adopted the technology, preparing for stimulus reimbursement begins now!  Our expert consultants will assist you with evaluating your workflow and processes to meet the criteria required for maximizing CMS incentive payments.

What Do We Know?

On December 30th, the ONC and CMS delivered the long awaited "meaningful use" package for the Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology.  Experts say that healthcare organizations should not wait to adopt EHR technology as there is a shortage of change management experts to help.   

The ARRA required the Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop standards, including interoperability, security, etc. by December 31, 2009.  According to the ARRA, a certified EHR is one that will meet the standards approved and issued by HHS.  In order to qualify as a certified EHR the electronic record of health-related information must:
 

1. Include patient demographic and clinical health information, such as medical history and problem lists.
2. Have the capacity to:
   • Provide clinical decision support
   • Support physician entry order entry (CPOE)
   • Capture and query information relevant to health care quality
   • Exchange electronic health information with other sources, and integrate such information.

According to the ARRA, a meaningful EHR use is one that is:

1. Using a "certified EHR" that includes ePrescribing
2. Connected in such a way as to allow the exchange of health information in a standard format for the purpose of improving quality of care and care coordination
3. Reporting clinical quality measures and potentially other measures using a "certified EHR"