Today, CMS announced proposed changes to Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record incentive program timeline for 2014 and revisions to the CEHRT definition. As a courtesy, Lantana put this summary together outlining the changes and how they may affect vendors and care providers. The full fact sheet can be found here.

Why the change? CMS reports the proposed changes were prompted by feedback from technology developers, certifying bodies & Electronic Health Record (EHR) vendors. The issues raised highlight the time crunch caused by the backlog of EHR products awaiting review and 2014 edition criteria to become CEHRT. A large number of providers need to update to 2014 CEHRT products but are unable to implement and train their staff in a timely way due to the delayed deployment and availability of certified products.

The proposed changes, simply put, will allow the provider to attest to the stage and version of MU objectives and measures available in the edition of the Certified EHR Technology that is available.

This flexibility, if the proposed role is adopted will result in the following changes to the timeline:

• MU Stage 2 extended 1 year:  Providers who met MU Stage 1 in 2011 and 2012 would need to meet MU Stage 2 by 2015 instead of 2014.  

• MU Stage 3 will begin calendar year (CY) 2017(January 1, 2017) for Eligible Professionals, , and fiscal year (FY) 2017 for Eligible Hospitals/Critical Access Hospitals (October 1, 2016) 

You may have questions such as:                    

If I am scheduled to certify for MU Stage 2, what are my options?

• Use Certified EHR Technology 2011 to meet Stage 1 objectives and measures applicable in 2013
• Use Certified EHR Technology 2011 & 2014 Combination to meet
  • Stage 1 objectives and measures applicable in payment year 2013 or
  • Stage 1 objectives and measures applicable in payment year 2014 or
  • Stage 2 objectives and measures
• Use Certified EHR Technology 2014 to meet
  • Stage 1 objectives and measures applicable in payment year 2014 or
  • Stage 2 objective and measures

How do I report my clinical quality measures?

• If you choose the Certified EHR Technology 2011 option, CQMs are submitted through attestation.
• If you choose the Certified EHR Technology 2011 & 2014 Combination  OR Certified EHR Technology 2014option, CQMs are submitted in accordance with requirements for 2014 Stage 2 rulemaking.

What do I do for MU Stage 2 in 2015 if I chose to attest 2011 Certified EHR Technology?

The proposed changes are for 2014 only.  Providers that report in CY 2015 and FY 2015 must use 2014 Edition CEHRT.