“Meaningful use” is the buzz word within the healthcare industry because the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 which is also referred to as the Federal Stimulus Package. The ARRA provides Medicare and Medicaid incentives that are based on the adoption and “meaningful use” of certified EHR technology which is why defining and clarifying the term “meaningful use” is important to healthcare providers.

Although specific requirements for demonstrating “meaningful use” of EHR technology are continuously being defined and evaluated, HIMSS officials urge that CCHIT should be the certifying body for EHR technology. CCHIT has provided a certification process for EHR solutions to accelerate the adoption of health IT, like a “Good Housekeeping” seal of approval. CCHIT Certified® solutions simplify the adoption by reducing purchase risk and allow physicians to take advantage of available HIT incentives. As mandated by ARRA, a final “meaningful use” rule should be published by the end of 2009.

The Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) recommends the following guidelines:

1. Recognize CCHIT as the certifying body of EHRs.
2. Adopt metrics that can be reasonably captured and reported beginning in FY11/2011,* and then made increasingly stringent using intervals of not less than two years.
3. Coordinate with HITSP and IHE to create new harmonized standards and implementation guides to bridge gaps in interoperability of health information.
4. Reconcile gaps among “certified EHR technologies,” “best of breed,” and “open source” technologies.
*ARRA requires the hospital-focused definition to be effective FY11 (October 1, 2010).  For meaningful users (physicians), the definition must be effective January1, 2011.

Healthcare DPS offers certified EHR products that help physicians take advantage of available incentives, grants and reimbursement. For more information, please visit www.HealthcareDPS.com

Information regarding the HIMSS guidelines: HIMSS Guidelines

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