Stage 2 Meaningful Use Proposed Objectives

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Posted By: Roberta Mullin March 22, 2012

Stage 2 Meaningful Use NPRM

The foundation of attesting to meaningful use of a certified EHR technology is based on a set of objectives and measures that an eligible professional or hospital must meet. That foundation was established in the final rule for Stage 1 of the CMS EHR Incentive Program. Recently a Notice for Proposed Rulemaking was released for the continuation of the Program through Stage 2 Meaningful Use. The foundation still remains the same with objectives and measures but the details will change.

Here are the details of the proposed meaningful use objective changes for EPs for stage 2:

  • 13 of Stage 1 objectives have increased threshold percentages or updated requirements
  • 7 of Stage 1 objectives are combined or modified with other objectives
  • 2 Stage 1 objectives are eliminated
  • 7 Stage 1 menu objectives have moved to be core objectives in Stage 2
  • There is 1 new core objective and 4 new menu objectives in Stage 2

Here are the details of the proposed meaningful use objective changes for Eligible Hospitals and CAHs for stage 2:

  • 13 of Stage 1 objectives have increased threshold percentages or updated requirements
  • 7 of Stage 1 objectives are combined or modified with other objectives
  • 2 Stage 1 objectives are eliminated
  • 8 Stage 1 menu objectives have moved to be core objectives in Stage 2
  • There is 1 new core objective and 3 new menu objectives in Stage 2

In Stage 1 meaningful use, EPs were required to meet 15 core objectives and 5 out of 10 menu items. One of the core objectives was meeting 6 clinical quality measures. In Stage 2, the proposed meaningful use requirements will be 17 core objectives and 3 out of 5 menu objectives. Clinical quality measures will still be a requirement but will not be in the objective framework. EPs will need to meet 12 out of 125 clinical quality measures.

In Stage 1 meaningful use, Eligible hospitals and CAHs were required to meet 14 core objectives and 5 out of 10 menu items. One of the core objectives was meeting 15 clinical quality measures. In Stage 2 meaningful use, the proposed requirements will be 16 core objectives and 2 out of 4 menu objectives. Clinical quality measures will still be a requirement but will not be in the objective framework. Hospitals and CAHs will need to meet 24 of 49 clinical quality measures.