Submit Your Comments on CEHRT NPRM by July 21

NPRM Comment Period Now Open: Submit by July 21, 2014

CMS and ONC invite the public to submit comments on the recently released notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that would allow providers participating in the EHR Incentive Programs to use the 2011 Edition or 2014 Edition of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) for the 2014 reporting year. 

 

Comments must be received by July 21, 2014 to be considered.

 

About the NPRM

If finalized, the proposal would allow providers to meet Stage 1 or Stage 2 of meaningful use with EHRs certified to the 2011 or 2014 Edition criteria or a combination of both Editions. 

Beginning in 2015, all eligible providers would be required to report using 2014 Edition CEHRT.

 

2014 Participation Options

If finalized, this proposal will provide participation options that vary by a provider’s stage of meaningful use and by their CEHRT Edition selection.

2011 CEHRT Providers in Stage 1 or 2: 2013 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2013 CQMs

Combination of 2011 & 2014 CEHRT Providers in Stage 1: 2013 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2013 CQMs; or 2014 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2014 CQMs Providers in Stage 2: 2013 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2013 CQMs; or 2014 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2014 CQMs; or 2014 Definition Stage 2 objectives and 2014 CQMs

2014 CEHRT Providers in Stage 1: 2014 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2014 CQMs Providers in Stage 2: 2014 Definition Stage 2 objectives and 2014 CQMs; or 2014 Definition Stage 1 objectives and 2014 CQMs

 

Extending Stage 2

The proposed rule also includes a provision that would formalize CMS and ONC’s recommended timeline to extend Stage 2 through 2016. If finalized, the earliest a provider would participate in Stage 3 of meaningful use would be 2017.

For More Information

Visit the CMS Newsroom to read the press release about the NPRM

Annual Update: 2014 Eligible Professional eCQM Specifications

CMS Posts 2014 Eligible Professional Electronic Clinical Quality Measure Update

The annual update of the 2014 electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) for eligible professionals and corresponding specifications for electronic reporting is now available. CMS updates the specifications annually to ensure that the measure representation and recent code system versions reflect the best understanding of standards and logic, and remain relevant and actionable within the clinical care setting.  In addition, some of the non-substantive changes to the measures were made based on input from the provider and vendor communities.

 

The eCQM specifications are used for multiple programs, such as the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), to align with the EHR Incentive Programs and reduce the burden on providers to report quality measures. 

 

CMS strongly encourages the implementation and use of the updated electronic specifications of the CQMs since they include updated terminologies, logic corrections, and intent clarifications. However, CMS will accept all versions of the CQMs for the EHR Incentive Programs, beginning with those finalized in the December 4, 2012 CMS-ONC Interim Final Rule.

 

Please note, the 2014 updated specifications cannot be used prior to the 2015 EHR Reporting Period.

 

Updated 2014 CQM Resources

To help eligible professionals navigate the updated eCQMs, several resources are available on the eCQM Library page.  Additional eCQM file formats and access to past versions for side by side comparisons are available on the Meaningful Use tab of the United States Health Information Knowledge base(USHIK).

 

EHR CQM Certification

To participate in the EHR Incentive Programs for 2014, a system must at least be certified to the specifications published in the December 2012 Interim Final Rule.