The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued another proposed rule for meaningful use on Friday, aiming to align Stage 1 and Stage 2 objectives and measures with the long-term proposals for Stage 3.
[See also: Healthcare industry cheers meaningful use modifications]
CMS says the rule changes aim to reduce reporting requirements, allowing providers to focus on advanced use of EHR technology and quality improvement, helping spurring better interoperability and more robust health information exchange.
Read the proposed rule here.
Specifically, the NPRM:
- Reduces number of MU objectives to focus on advanced use of EHRs;
- Removes measures that have become redundant or have reached wide-spread adoption;
- Realigns the reporting period beginning in 2015, so hospitals would participate on the calendar year instead of the fiscal year; and
- Allows for a 90 day reporting period in 2015.
[See also: Stage 3 meaningful use proposed rule and certification criteria released]
As the health IT industry heads to Chicago for the 2015 HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition starting April 12, HIMSS issued a statement applauding the change.
"HIMSS is encouraged that CMS has listened to our members and other stakeholder concerns and included more realistic parameters for providers and hospitals, so they can meet the meaningful use requirements in 2015 and beyond," said HIMSS North America Vice President Carla Smith.
Among the sessions at HIMSS15 focused meaningful use: CMS EHR Incentive Programs Overview and CMS Meaningful Use Stage 3 Requirements, both on April 13.
