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CMS announces final rule for stage 2 implementation of EHRs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released final requirements for stage 2 of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act that hospitals and health care providers must meet in order to qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments during the second stage of the program, as well as criteria that electronic health records must meet to achieve certification, according to a press release.

Beginning as early as 2014, stage 2 of the program will increase health information exchange between providers and promote patient engagement by giving patients secure online access to their health information. The requirements for stage 2 make clear that no providers will be required to follow the stage 2 requirements outlined before 2014; outline the criteria for the certification of electronic health records (EHR) technology, so eligible professionals and hospitals may be assured that the systems they use will work, help them meaningfully use health information technology and qualify for incentive payments; modify the certification program to make the certification process more efficient; and allow current ‘2011 Edition Certified EHR Technology’ to be used until 2014.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) final rule provides a flexible reporting period for 2014 to give providers sufficient time to adopt or upgrade to the most current EHR technology certified for that year.

“The changes we’re announcing will lead to more coordination of patient care, reduced medical errors, elimination of duplicate screenings and tests and greater patient engagement in their own care,” Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Health and Human Services, said in the release.

More information on the stage 2 rule can be found at the CMS EHR Incentive Program website: www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms.