U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Indian Health Service: The Federal Health Program for American Indians and Alaska Natives
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Meaningful Use
Meaningful Use Listserv
Join the MU Listserv
MU Listserv is a mailbox where Meaningful Use questions and information can be communicated

Overview

Under the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is authorized to make incentive payments for Medicare and Medicaid Eligible Professionals (EPs), Eligible Hospitals (EHs), and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) that demonstrate meaningful use (MU) of certified Electronic Health Record technology (CEHRT). These incentives provide additional resources to stimulate continued improvement throughout the health care system.

The objectives for MU of a certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) are to improve the safety, quality, and efficiency of care. MU of EHRs can improve health care processes through software applications that provide secure access, clinical decision support, performance reporting, and exchange of information with other providers of care. Such systems help avoid preventable errors and allow for making better and more consistent decisions.

The vision which drives the achievement of MU is one in which all patients are fully engaged in their healthcare; providers have real-time access to all medical information; and providers have the tools necessary to help ensure the quality and safety of the care they provide while also improving access and eliminating health care disparities.

The intent of MU is using certified Electronic Health Record technology to:

  • Improve quality, safety, and efficiency of health care to reduce health disparities.
  • Engage patients and their families in their health care.
  • Improve coordination of care.
  • Improve population and public health.
  • Maintain privacy and security of patient information.

Achievement of MU requires the following:

  • Adopt/Implement/Upgrade to a certified Electronic Health Record.
  • Demonstrate the meaningful use of a certified Electronic Health Record.

The MU initiative requires an integrated approach between the IHS MU team, National Indian Health Board American Indian/Alaska Native National Regional Extension Center (NIHB AI/AN National REC) and its sub-recipient contractors.

Learn More

2011 RPMS EHR Certification Press Release [PDF - 116KB]