Stage 2 Meaningful Use for Eligible Professionals and Eligible Hospitals looks a long way off. We are still out of breath from climbing the rock face to Stage 1 Meaningful Use and most EPs and EHs are still climbing. Maybe it is time to find a plateau, refill our water canteens and gain our bearings. Might also be a good time to look ahead and see where we are headed and make some course corrections.
We know there will be numerous changes in Stage 2 Meaningful Use: increased thresholds for some existing measures; new measures; removed measures; modification to the timeline; transition to permanent certification program; etc. And, as always, there will be a few twists and turns that no one even knows about. I always like to keep an eye on the horizon so I’m not too surprised when a storm heads my way. Sometime storm clouds never bring rain but I like to keep my eye on them anyway.
For vendors, consultants, and those that provide guidance to EPs and EHs on meaningful use and the CMS EHR Incentive Programs it is a good idea to review where we may be headed. The most concise information I have found was put together by Erica Drazen and can be found here.
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Jim Tate is known as the most experienced authority on the CMS Meaningful Use (MU) audit and appeal process. As one hospital CEO stated, “we were notified by CMS that the adverse audit decision was being overturned and we did not have to return the 2011 EHR Incentive Payment. I would recommend the services of Mr. Tate and EMR Advocate in the event your facility is notified that it will be subject to a Meaningful Use audit or your facility is audited, or you have an adverse outcome and need to file an appeal." He blogs at Meaningful Use Audits. If you are a hospital with a question about the MU audit and appeal process, email him at: [email protected]
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