CMS Announces Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for 2014 Certified EHR Technology Flexibility
CMS and ONC announced yesterday a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) that would grant flexibility to hospitals and providers participating in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs (“Meaningful Use”) and extend Stage 2 through 2016. The NPRM comes in the wake of concerns from vendors and providers alike that the changes required for 2014 Edition Certified EHR Technology (“CEHRT”), required for all providers in 2014, regardless of Stage, cannot be implemented in time for providers to demonstrate Meaningful Use in 2014.
The NPRM would grant flexibility to providers having difficulting implementing 2014 Edition CEHRT to use previous 2011 Editions in order to demonstrate Meaningful Use for 2014. Therefore, providers currently in Stage 1 for 2014 would demonstrate:
- Stage 1 (2013 Definition) using 2011 Edition CEHRT, or using a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition CEHRT; or
- Stage 1 (2014+ Definition) using 2014 Edition CEHRT.
Providers starting Stage 2 in 2014 would demonstrate:
- Stage 1 (2013 Definition) using 2011 Edition CEHRT, or using a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition CEHRT;
- Stage 1 (2014+ Definition) using 2014 Edition CEHRT; or
- Stage 2 (2014+ Definition) using 2014 Edition CEHRT.
The NPRM also seeks comment on extending Stage 2 through 2016, which would mean the earliest providers could begin Stage 3 would be 2017.
A copy of the NPRM is available for download here. A public comment period is in effect for 60 days.
