The federal HIT Policy Committee has approved revised recommendations for “meaningful use” of electronic health records systems which were submitted to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and other units of the Department of Health and Human Services. The recommendations will be used by HHS for guidance as they develop rules to implement the incentive programs.  By the end of this year, a proposed rule is expected.

Why is this important?
Providers must demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs to qualify for stimulus package incentives under the economic stimulus law.

What are the changes and suggestions?

Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) Criteria
CPOE systems must be used for 10% of all orders of any type, but clarity is needed on whether the 10% requirement would apply to each individual order type or all orders total.

HIPAA
CMS may withhold incentive payments until HIPAA violation charges are resolved.

Adoption Benchmarks
Initial 2011 criteria may apply to the first year a medical office adopts EHR. For example, EHR adoption in 2012 would follow criteria for 2011 (which would be marked as adoption year 1).

Electronic Actions
Claims would be submitted electronically to payers. Insurance eligibility would be checked electronically (when possible). One clinical decision support rule relevant to a specialty or a high clinical priority would be implemented.

Patient-Related
Patients would have access to personal health records populated in real-time in 2013, two years earlier than proposed. Patients, upon request, would be provided with an electronic copy of their discharge instructions and procedures at the time of discharge. Patients would be provided with timely electronic access to their health information.

Data Exchange
The EHR would have capability to exchange health information where possible in 2011, with participation in a national health information exchange by 2015.

For the complete list of workgroup recommendations click here

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