Key Takeway: Last week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released a final rule impacting the meaningful use program. The rule combined modifications to the current reporting years—2015-2017—as well as Stage 3 criteria. Simultaneously, regulations were issued for the 2015 Edition of Certified EHRs.
Why it Matters: Having heard concerns from providers about the 365-day reporting period, including strong advocacy from CHIME and CHIME members, CMS modified Stage 2 to incorporate a 90-day reporting period in 2015. While several members are positioned to take advantage of this shorter period, others will be challenged to meet it since there are fewer than 90 days remaining in the year. CHIME will continue to advocate for CMS to implement a hardship exemption for those unable to meet this timeframe.
Unfortunately, the agency decided to move forward with Stage 3 rulemaking. CHIME, other healthcare associations and members of Congress had urged CMS to hold off on issuing a final rule in order to ensure that it is in sync with new payment models being advanced by Medicare. Delaying rulemaking would also give stakeholders time to address such key issues as interoperability before moving forward. However, in a rare move, the administration published this regulation as a “final rule with comment,” leaving open the opportunity for the industry to provider further input into the policymaking process. CMS will be accepting comments on the Stage 3 portion of the rule only. For the full article click here
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