The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has released an interactive decision tool to help providers determine their participation options in the Meaningful Use incentive program for 2014 pursuant to the agency's proposed flexibility rule.
The tool, unveiled July 7, walks providers through a few questions about their current stage of Meaningful Use and their edition of electronic health record certification. It then displays the corresponding reporting options of objectives and clinical quality measures proposed in the rule, published in May. If finalized, the rule would allow providers to meet Stage 1 or Stage 2 with EHRs certified to 2011 or 2014 edition criteria or a combination of both editions, as follows:
2011 CEHRT
Providers in Stage 1 or 2:
- 2013 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2013 CQMs
Combination of 2011 & 2014 CEHRT
Providers in Stage 1:
- 2013 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2013 CQMs; or
- 2014 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2014 CQMs
Providers in Stage 2:
- 2013 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2013 CQMs; or
- 2014 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2014 CQMs; or
- 2014 Definition Stage 2 objectives and 2014 CQMs
2014 CEHRT
Providers in Stage 1:
- 2014 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2014 CQMs
Providers in Stage 2:
- 2014 Definition Stage 2 objectives and 2014 CQMs; or
- 2014 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2014 CQMs
In 2015, all eligible providers will be required to report using 2014 edition of certified EHR technology.
Interestingly, CMS released the tool even though the rule has not been finalized and the comment period is still open, leading to speculation that CMS doesn't plan on modifying the proposed rule much, if at all. The public has until July 21 to submit comments.
Several commenters, including the American Hospital Association and CHIME have expressed concern about the late timing of the proposed rule and the need to finalize it promptly.
To learn more:
- here's the tool