HHS Issues Final Stage 2 Meaningful Use Requirements

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the meaningful use requirements for Stage 2 of the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program, which take effect on November 4. Under the program, eligible professionals (EPs) and hospitals may receive incentive payments for the meaningful use of certified EHR technology.

The final rule adds two core objectives and seven menu objectives to the list of meaningful use objectives, including: (i) communicating health information with patients; (ii) automatically tracking medications from order to distribution; and (iii) making imaging results available through EHR.

In addition, the final rule requires EPs and hospitals to report certain clinical quality measures (CQMs) to CMS to satisfy the meaningful use requirements. A full list of the CQMs is available on the CMS’ EHR Incentive Program website.

The Stage 2 requirements will be implemented in fiscal year 2014 for eligible hospitals and critical care hospitals, and calendar year 2014 for eligible professionals (EPs).

The EHR Stage 2 Final Rule can be accessed here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-09-04/pdf/2012-21050.pdf.

Electronic Health Record Incentive Program-Stage 2, 42 Fed. Reg. 171, 53968, 53968, (Sep. 4, 2012). Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “HHS Announces Next Steps to Promote Use of Electronic Health Records .” Press Release. 23 Aug. 2012. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. “CMS Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs: Stage 2 Final Rule. ” Fact Sheet. 23 Aug. 2012.