The recently released Meaningful Use Stage 3 proposed rule would spell out the meaningful use criteria that eligible professionals (EPs), hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet so as to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments, and also to steer clear of downward payment adjustments under Medicare for Stage 3 of the EHR Incentive Programs. The proposed rule would also modify the EHR reporting period so that all providers would now report under a full calendar year timeline with a limited exception under the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program for providers demonstrating meaningful use for the first time.
To make the Meaningful Use reporting in Stage 3 simple and flexible, CMS proposed eight objectives, which is further subdivided into multiple measures. As a result, providers will need to meet all 8 objectives to meet Meaningful Use Stage 3—fail just 1 objective and providers have to face penalties and assessments.
The above objectives are based on the measures and EHR functionalities from the Stage 1 and Stage 2 final rule to advance the functions of EHRs in a clinically relevant way that benefits providers and patients.
For more insights on Meaningful Use Stage 3 proposed rule and its impact on practices, join us for this audio conference on July 16.
Source:
https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2015/03/30/2015-06685/medicare-and-medicaid-programs-electronic-health-record-incentive-program-stage-3
