The year 2014 brings about many changes to Stage 1 of the Meaningful Use program, according to a recent blog post by Steven Posnack, director of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT's federal policy division. Next year is the beginning of a restructured Meaningful Use Stage 1; in addition all eligible hospitals and professionals must update to the 2014 edition certified EHR technology for both Stage 1 and Stage 2. The post also clarifies that 2014 has special MU reporting periods for non first-time attesters; that 2014 is the last year that an eligible professionals can begin to receive an incentive payment; and that one's 2014 Meaningful Use performance is the basis for 2016 Medicare payment adjustments. Blog post