Meaningful Use in 2014

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) HealthIT.gov has an excellent article on Meaningful Use in 2014 by Steven Posnack which I highly recommend. Reference duly noted. Here’s the gist.



• Does Stage 1 Meaningful Use (MU) change in 2014?
The year 2014 does mean a slightly restructured MU Stage 1.

Certain objectives are removed and combined. Please get the details as an overview will not suffice! Exclusions still apply, but claiming one no longer counts toward meeting a menu objective. Significantly, under Stage 1 you must provide online access to personal health information for over 50 percent of your patients.

• Will I need an Electronic Health Record (EHR) upgrade for 2014?
During 2014, MU requires “2014 certified” EHRs.

The 2011 Edition certified EHRs won’t satisfy the “Certified EHR Technology” (CEHRT) definition in 2014 – you must use 2014 CEHRT!

• What is the year 2014 MU reporting period length?
It’s 90 days, but please continue to read.

All Medicaid and new Medicare may use “any continuous 90-day” reporting period, but Medicare attesters submitting at least their second MU attestation during 2014 must use a 90-day period tied to a quarter.

• What is the final year Medicare eligible professionals (EPs) can start MU to get incentives?
That would be 2014.

• How does 2014 MU performance affect Medicare payment adjustments?
The 2014 MU performance determines 2016 Medicare payment adjustments (-2 percent in 2016).

• What if a Medicare attester skips MU or qualifies for a hardship exception in 2014?
Once a Medicare attester starts MU, the progression of requirements marches on, even if you don’t participate for a time.

By contrast Medicaid participants can start, then skip a year (or more), and rejoin at whatever point they stopped as if the clock stopped. But Medicare participants who skip simply forfeit that period of eligibility, rejoining at the same point as if they had participated continuously.

Here’s a link to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ tip sheet.