Rule to Change MU Reporting Period to 90 Days is Issued

Today, CMS issued a new proposed rule for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs to align Stage 1 and Stage 2 objectives and measures with the long-term proposals for Stage 3.

The modifications would allow providers to focus more closely on the advanced use of certified EHR technology to support health information exchange and quality improvement.

The new rule proposes a change in the reporting period for meaningful use from one year to 90 days in 2015.

Proposed Changes for EHR Incentive Programs
Together with the proposed Stage 3 notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) issued on March 20, 2015, the proposed rules align and merge the “stages” of meaningful use requirements.

The proposed rule changes the programs by:

• Streamlining reporting by removing redundant, duplicative, and topped-out measures
• Modifying patient action measures in Stage 2 objectives related to patient engagement
• Aligning the EHR reporting period for eligible hospitals and CAHs with the full calendar year
• Changing the EHR reporting period in 2015 to a 90-day period to accommodate modifications