The ability of ONC-ATCB certified EHRs to accurately generate meaningful use data is being brought into question. A complete certified EHR must be able to “electronically record the numerator and denominator and generate a report including the numerator, denominator, and resulting percentage associated with each applicable meaningful use measure.” This module, Automate Measure Calculation, generates the data that is used to successfully attest for EHR Incentives. Regional Extension Centers, ONC-ATCBs, and anyone else close to the functionality of EHRs knows that the credibility of this data coming out of EHRs is subject question.
Now the first major vendor has notified customers of this accuracy problem with this statement: “GE Healthcare recently became aware of inaccuracies with reports in Centricity Practice Solution and Centricity Electronic Medical Record (EMR) that may affect customers who have attested or are currently planning to attest for Meaningful Use through the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.” A copy of the full letter sent to GE Centricity customer is available here.
There are numerous reasons why the reportable data coming out of EHRs is suspect: incorrect assumptions by developers of ONC guidance on how to generate the measures, complicated documentation workflow requirements for providers, and inaccurate algorithms are just a few. The real headache is what must be done to work out a process for those that have already attested with what they now know is possibly inaccurate data. I hope all EHR vendors are paying attention because it may be just a matter of time before they have their “GE moment”.
Heard at HLTH 2024: Insights from Innovative Healthcare Executives
Executives from Imagine360, Verily, BrightInsight, Lantern, and Rhapsody shared their approaches to reducing healthcare costs and facilitating digital transformation.
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]
This post appears through the MedCity Influencers program. Anyone can publish their perspective on business and innovation in healthcare on MedCity News through MedCity Influencers. Click here to find out how.