On Monday, CMS said it will allow eligible hospitals looking to participate in the Medicare meaningful use program for the first time in fiscal year 2015 to attest this summer, rather than waiting until next year, AHA News reports.
Under the 2009 economic stimulus package, providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments (AHA News, 6/29).
Rule Change Details
Previously, hospitals participating in the Medicare meaningful use program for the first time had been required to wait until Jan. 1, 2016, to attest because of certain system changes.
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However, the rule change allows such eligible hospitals to begin attesting anytime between now and Aug. 14.
According to Becker’s Health IT & CIO Review, hospitals that choose to attest this summer will not be able to attest to the meaningful use modifications for 2015 through 2017. Instead, they must attest to the Stage 1 requirements in place during the start of 2014 (Jayanthi, Becker’s Health IT & CIO Review, 6/29).
In addition, eligible hospitals that attest this summer:
- Can attest using the 90-day reporting period (AHA News, 6/29); and
- Will not be able to attest again until January 2017, when they will have to attest using the full-year reporting period (Walsh, Clinical Innovation & Technology, 6/29).
Date: July 1, 2015