CMS and ONC release a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) allowing providers participating in the EHR Incentive Programs to use the 2011 Edition of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) for calendar and fiscal year 2014

The NPRM will grant flexibility to providers who are experiencing difficulties fully implementing 2014 Edition CEHRT to attest this year. The proposed rule would allow providers to use EHRs that have been certified under the 2011 Edition, a combination of the 2011 and 2014 Editions, or the 2014 Edition.

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

2014 Participation Options

Under this proposal, valid only for the 2014 reporting year, providers would be able to use 2011 Edition CEHRT for either Stage 1 or Stage 2, would have the option to attest to the 2013 definition of meaningful use core and menu objectives, and use the 2013 definition CQMs.

Providers currently working on Stage 1 in 2014 would be able to demonstrate:

Stage 1 (2013 Definition) using 2011 Edition CEHRT, or using a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition CEHRT; or

Stage 1 (2014+ Definition) using 2014 Edition CEHRT.

Providers currently working on Stage 2 in 2014 would be able to demonstrate:

Stage 1 (2013 Definition) using 2011 Edition CEHRT, or using a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition CEHRT;

Stage 1 (2014+ Definition) using 2014 Edition CEHRT; or

Stage 2 (2014+ Definition) using 2014 Edition CEHRT.

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.

Source: https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-11944.pdf to be published in Federal Register on 05/23/2014, starting then this NPRM will be open for public comments, over the next 60 days.