October 3, 2013 Meaningful Use Deadline

To all providers planning to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program:  The deadline for becoming a Meaningful User in 2013 is fast approaching.

In order to receive the maximum incentive of up to $39,000 for the Medicare EHR incentive program, providers must begin their 90-day reporting period no later than October 3, 2013.

Providers waiting until 2014 to begin Meaningful Use will only be eligible to receive up to $24,000 in Medicare incentive payments and will face a less flexible reporting structure.

Additional Meaningful Use Timeline Information

EPs that have not successfully attested for Meaningful Use Stage 1 before October 1, 2014 will be facing a penalty adjustment to their Medicare Part B reimbursements.

EPs will be able to begin attesting to Meaningful Use Stage 2 on January 1, 2014. The Stage 2 attestation period for 2014 will be 90 days, but in 2015 and beyond will be for a full calendar year due to changes in MU certification requirements for EHR systems in 2014. The briefer reporting period will give EPs additional time to acquire or upgrade to Stage 2-certified technology.

Medicaid EPs can choose any 90-day period in 2014 in which to attest, but Medicare EP attestation periods will start on January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1.

Like Stage 1, qualifying for Stage 2 requires meeting a series of core (required) and menu (optional) objectives.

A complete list of Stage 2 objectives is available here.

A self-directed timeline showing the length of time required to demonstrate Meaningful Use at each stage and the maximum incentive payment for each year of participation is available here.