More meaningful use stage 2 details

I'd like to touch on a few of the changes that I mentioned briefly in my last blog and provide a bit more detail for you.
Even though the stage 2 final rule dictates that stage 2 will not begin until 2014, there are a few things in the final rule that will affect you in 2013. So that you may begin preparing for next year, I'd like to discuss those items.

First and foremost, those who attest for the 2013 payment year will avoid the payment penalty in 2015. If you don't attest in 2013, your Medicare reimbursements in 2015 will be reduced 1%. So, it's imperative that you continue attest in 2013. (This requirement is the same whether you attested in 2011 or 2012 and your reporting period is the full calendar year or 2013 is your first payment year and your reporting period is only 90 days.)

Note: There is a special provision for an eligible professional (EP) who demonstrates meaningful use for the first time in 2014. If you attest no later than Oct. 1, 2014, you would avoid the 2015 penalty. In order to attest before that date, you would have to be finished with your 90-day reporting period before that date and, allowing for possible problems/delays when attesting, you would need to be a meaningful user very early in 2014 – I would recommend in the first 90 days of the year.
The stage 1 core set measure for recording vital signs becomes a bit easier in 2013. Instead of the age beginning at 2 years, it now begins at 3 years old.

The exclusion of "the EP believes that all three vital signs have no relevance to their scope of practice" now separates out blood pressure from height and weight. This means that if you believe blood pressure is relevant, but height and weight are not relevant, you can exclude this measure.

The stage 1 core set measure for testing the EHR's ability to “exchange key clinical information" is eliminated from stage 1 requirements for 2013.