On May 20, 2014, the Health and Human Services Department (HHS) published a new proposed rule that would provide eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals more flexibility in how they use certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) to meet meaningful use (MU). The proposed rule, from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), would let providers use the 2011 Edition CEHRT or a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition CEHRT for the EHR reporting period in 2014 for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. For more information, please read the following press release.  

What does this mean for you?

• This is a proposed rule that could potentially go into effect on July 21, 2014. 

• It will impact each provider differently.

• Providers will still need to attest for 2014.

• This proposed rule could potentially extend Stage 2 through 2016.

• The financial penalties will still go into effect in six months beginning in Jan. 2015.

• If you need to file a hardship exemption for 2013, you must file by July 1, 2014. 

As your trusted advisor, Kentucky REC will submit comments to CMS on your behalf. Your feedback and comments are of critical importance for the future of the EHR Incentive Program. To make sure your voice is heard, please send us a private message by clicking here or send an e-mail to kyrec@uky.edu. We encourage you to comment on the proposed rule no later than 5 pm on July 11, 2014.  

If you have any questions on  how the proposed rule may impact your practice, feel free to contact us at 859-323-3090.