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.

ISDS NPRM for Stage 2 Comments

ISDS would like to share the final ISDS comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) Notices of Proposed Rule Making (NPRMs) for Stage 2 Meaningful Use. The ONC and CMS published their NPRMs with the federal registrar for a 60 day public inspection period, during which time they asked for stakeholder comments and feedback. As an opportunity to represent the ISDS community of public health practitioners, ISDS staff and stakeholders developed two response letters to CMS and ONC. You may view the final versions of the ISDS comments below:

ISDS Comments to CMS
ISDS Comments to ONC

The ISDS staff would like to thank the Public Health Practice Committee, Distribute Community of Practice Members, ISDS Board of Directors, and other society affiliates for providing feedback on the ISDS letters. This collaboration was a crucial element in strengthening the ISDS comments and ensuring society representation.


If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail meaningfuluse@syndromic.org. 

Proposed Rule for Stage 2 Meaningful Use NPRM

The Proposed Rule for Stage 2 Meaningful Use has been Posted to the Federal Register; CMS Fact Sheet Provides Overview

The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Stage 2 meaningful use was posted to the Office of the Federal Register today. The proposed rule outlines the next stage of meaningful use for the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, which are administered by CMS. View the NPRM.

CMS has developed a fact sheet to give providers an overview of the rule and how Stage 2 expands upon Stage 1 of meaningful use. The fact sheet can be found on the EHR Incentive Programs website https://www.cms.gov/apps/media/fact_sheets.asp.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology's (ONC's) NPRM was delivered to the Federal Register on February 22 at the same time as the CMS NPRM, and the policy is finalized. Additional news about the ONC proposed rule will be released once it is posted and the rules will publish on the same day.

Learn more about meaningful use by going to the CMS EHR Meaningful Use Overview web page.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs? Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Other useful CDC/PHIN links:

1) New "In the Spotlight" on both PHIN (www.cdc.gov/phin) and MU (www.cdc.gov/ehrmeaningfuluse) pages

2) New Cancer subpage under the PH Options on MU site.

3) Updated Guides page on both pages

4) Updated About Meaningful Use Intro page on MU page