The CMS Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs were designed to reward eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) for demonstrating meaningful use of certified EHR technology. The EHR incentive program, often referred to as meaningful use, began with the implementation of Stage 1 in 2011. Stage 1 requirements must be fulfilled for at least two years before advancing to Stage 2. The last opportunity for EPs to begin the first year of Stage 1 of the EHR Incentive Program and receive an incentive payment was October 1, 2014. To qualify for incentive payments, EPs must meet meaningful use criteria determined by each stage of the program. Starting in 2015, EPs that do not demonstrate meaningful use annually will be faced with a payment reduction in Medicare Part B reimbursement that will increase from one to five percent annually over time.
Clinical Quality Measure Requirements for Stage 1 and Stage 2
Effective January 1, 2014, the Clinical Quality Measure (CQM) requirements for Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the EHR Incentive Program for EPs are aligned. In order to receive an EHR incentive payment, EPs must submit nine measures from at least three quality domains.
Regardless of attesting to Stage 1 or Stage 2, all EPs must follow the new Stage 2 Clinical Quality Measures starting in 2014.
Stage 1
- 13 required core objectives
- 5 of 9 menu set objectives
Stage 2
- 17 required core objectives
- 3 of 6 menu objectives
- 9 measures (from at least 3 domains) OR
- Report measures under PQRS EHR reporting option OR
- Group Reporting Options
Starting in 2015, will require a full year of data excluding first year users.
Resources
EHR Incentive Program Information Center
888-734-6433 (TTY 888-734-6563)