Meaningful Use, What You Need to Know…
ONC Certification #: 30000001SW7XEAS
“Meaningful Use” (MU) is a serious subject when it comes to money. Not only are there significant incentives for properly adopting an Electronic Medical Records (EMR) or Electronic Health Records (EHR) system, there are also real penalties for those who decline to participate.
Alliance is committed to helping you achieve the necessary MU milestones. We present here an overview of what you need to know – whether you are already a Alliance customer, or just coming to terms with the need for an EMR system. Further information is available by contacting us directly or checking out the resource links provided.
Not just about the money.
Although the economic incentives for adopting and using an Electronic Medical Records system are a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the goals of the HITECH Act are actually much more comprehensive. Earning these incentive payments is tied to the long term goals of improving clinical outcomes and improving our healthcare infrastructure systems.
Key goals of the program:
• Improve quality, safety, efficiency and reduce health disparities
• Engage patients and families
• Improve care coordination
• Improve population and public health
• Ensure adequate privacy and security protections for patient health information
Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Payments – How do I qualify?
It is important to note that while the incentive programs for Medicare and Medicaid providers are similar, they are not identical. Here we will only address the Medicare version of the program.
The key to receiving payment is to have:
Eligible professionals, using a qualified EHR solution and demonstrating meaningful use.
Eligible professionals include: Doctors of medicine, osteopathy, dental surgery, dental medicine, podiatric medicine, or optometry and chiropractors.
Qualified EHR solutions are those certified by an approved organization, such as the Certification Commission on Health IT, (CCHIT).
Meaningful Use means meeting specific performance and reporting criteria.
Incentive payment amounts and timing
Incentive payments can begin after March 2011, the first possible 90-day reporting period. The maximum payment schedule for Medicare providers is shown below. The Medicaid schedule is different, and providers can not receive both Medicare and Medicaid incentives. Medicare providers can continue to participate in the PQRI program, but will not receive any funds from the eRx program.
Beginning in 2015, Medicare providers who are not able to demonstrate Meaningful Use will be subject to a reduction in their reimbursements which begins at 1% in the first year and subsequently increases to as high as a 5% reduction.
|
Starting Year 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
2011 $18,000.00 |
2012 $12,000.00 $18,000.00 |
2013 $8,000.00 $12,000.00 $15,000.00 |
2014 $4,000.00 $8,000.00 $12,000.00 $12,000.00 |
2015 $2,000.00 $4,000.00 $8,000.00 $8,000.00 $0.00 |
2016 $0.00 $2,000.00 $4,000.00 $4,000.00 $0.00 |
Totals $44,000.00 $44,000.00 $39,000.00 $24,000.00 $0.00 |
Demonstrating Meaningful Use
In order to satisfy the Meaningful Use tests, criteria in two separate categories, “Core” and “Menu” must be met. A total of 20 criteria must be met, unless certain exceptions apply. In addition there are also “clinical quality measures” that must be recorded and reported.
Qualified EMR/EMS products
Centricity Practice Solution (CPS) version 9.5, has been certified with the CCHIT (Certification Commission on Health IT). In addition CPS 9.5 has received ONC-ATCB 2011/2012 certification.
Next Steps for Alliance customers:
• Begin hardware and software upgrade to Centricity Practice Solution Version 9.5
• Install GE MQIC product for reporting quality statistics
• If you are a Medicaid provider, review the specific program requirements
Elizabeth Woodcock Webinar: Meaningful Use Simplified:
Recorded Webinar(approx. 60 min.)
Internal Useful Links
For Meaningful Use Criteria, visit our Meaningful Use Criteria Page.
For Meaningful Use Frequently Asked Questions, visit our Meaningful Use FAQ Page.
External Useful Links
Helpful “Tip Sheet” from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (www.cms.gov)
Medicare Incentive Payments Tip Sheet (PDF)
Direct link to the official Web site for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs
www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms
GE Healthcare Links
GE Healthcare’s Meaningful Use document referencing setup parameters and workflow recommendations for each Meaningful Use measure.
Using Centricity Practice Solution Meaningful Use Reports
*If you are not yet an Alliance customer, please contact us at (877) 325-7000 to discuss how we can help your practice be more successful.
