Steps Toward Receiving EHR Incentive Payments
Use Certified EHR Technology
EHR technology is certified by one of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) ONC-ATCBs.
Certified EHR technology must meet the standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria adopted by the HHS Secretary.
IHS RPMS Ambulatory and Inpatient EHRs met the 2011 certification standards for Stage 1, 2011-2103 of Meaningful Use.
All sites must ensure all RPMS packages are up-to-date with current patches/releases: 2011 Certified RPMS EHR Application Checklist [PDF - 20KB].
Sites that do not use the RPMS EHR must obtain/verify certification of their EHR technology separately in order to qualify for an EHR incentive payment.
Get a Certified Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Use the National Site Tracker - BNP to verify that all packages and patches are installed to have the 2011 Certified RPMS EHR version. Facilities must verify (attest) that they are using an EHR program certified by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC). Take the steps below to ensure that you are using appropriate Electronic Health Records (EHR) technology for achieving MU:
- Use the Resource and Patient Management System (RPMS) to Adopt/Implement/Upgrade to the 2011 Certified RPMS EHR.
- If using the RPMS EHR, evaluate your system to determine whether the complete 2011 certified RPMS EHR package is installed. Refer to RPMS Certified Electronic Health Record for Meaningful Use: 2011 Certified RPMS EHR Application Checklist [PDF - 20KB] for packages needed for a certified RPMS EHR, including all applications and specific versions and patches.
Other Vendors
For non-RPMS facilities, a comprehensive listing of certified EHR products can be found at Certified Health IT Product List.
Use EHR Meaningfully
Performance Measures
MU Requirements for Eligible Professionals (EPs)
| Medicare | Medicaid |
|---|---|
|
Demonstrate MU of a certified EHR in all participation years. Beginning in 2013 for Stage 1, EPs will report on:
|
In the first participation year, adopt, implement, or upgrade (AIU) to a certified EHR. After the first year, demonstrate MU of a certified EHR. Beginning in 2013 for Stage 1, EPs will report on:
|
MU Requirements for Eligible Hospitals (EHs)
| Medicare | Medicaid |
|---|---|
|
Demonstrate MU of a certified EHR in all participation years of a certified EHR. Beginning in 2013 for Stage 1, EHs and CAHs will report on:
Note: There are no performance targets. |
In the first participation year, adopt, implement, or upgrade (AIU) to a certified EHR. After the first year, demonstrate MU of a certified EHR. Beginning in 2013 for Stage 1, EHs and CAHs will report on:
Note: There are no performance targets. |
Clinical Quality Measures
Eligible Professionals (EPs) must report on six total Clinical Quality Measures (three core and three menu set measures). There are no performance targets.
Eligible Hospitals (EHs) must report on all 15 Clinical Quality Measures. There are no performance targets.
