Stage 2 – What should I do?

While the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Meaningful Use Stage 2 will start in 2014, it may not fully apply to every Medicare/Medicaid provider right away. Sooner or later, though, Stage 2 will affect you. So, what should you do?



Everyone attesting to Meaningful Use gets two years measured under Stage 1. When Stage 2 final regulations were released last summer, CMS also relaxed Stage 1 requirements (a little). Make sure you read updated Stage 1 information, not older, outdated material – lest you waste effort jumping higher than necessary!

The best overall preparation for Stage 2 is proficiency in meeting Stage 1. First, if it’s a requirement under the updated Stage 1, then more of the same is required under Stage 2. Second, a Stage 1 test of your ability via electronic health records (EHR) to do something – such as data submission to a registry – becomes a requirement to actually do that same thing on a regular basis in Stage 2.

Stage 2 does add new measures, but you’ll need the upgraded Stage 2 certified version of your EHR to even practice the new stuff. Plan carefully to get your EHR upgraded to its Stage 2 version, allowing time to learn those new processes.

One Stage 2 impact on every Meaningful Use participant is that during 2014, all Meaningful Use attesters must use Stage 2 certified EHR software. Ask your vendor to pre-schedule your Stage 2 upgrade as soon as possible.

To avoid the 2015 Medicare payment adjustment, you must attest to Meaningful Use either in 2013, or at the latest, before Oct. 1, 2014. Already achieved Meaningful Use in 2013? Then, you may begin your 90-day reporting period for 2014 as late as Oct. 3, 2014.

For additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the North Texas Regional Extension Center at 469-648-5140 or information@ntrec.org.