Stage 2 Meaningful Use Course Corrections?

Stage 2 Meaningful Use for EPs and EHs looks a long way off. We are still out of breath from climbing the rock face to Stage 1 and most EPs and EHs are still climbing. Maybe it is time to find a plateau, refill our water canteens and gain our bearings. Might also be a good time to look ahead and see where we are headed and make some course corrections.

We know there will be numerous changes in Stage 2: increased thresholds for some existing measures; new measures; removed measures; modification to the timeline; transition to permanent certification program; etc. And, as always, there will be a few twists and turns that no one even knows about. I always like to keep an eye on the horizon so I’m not too surprised when a storm heads my way. Sometime storm clouds never bring rain but I like to keep my eye on them anyway.

For vendors, consultants, and those that provide guidance to EPs and EHs on meaningful use and the CMS EHR Incentive Programs it is a good idea to review where we may be headed. The most concise information I have found was put together by Erica Drazen and can be found here.

Jim Tate is a nationally recognized expert on the CMS EHR Incentive Program, certified technology and meaningful use and author of The Incentive Roadmap® The Meaningful Use of Certified Technology: Stage 1.

Are you a vendor, consultant or IT service provider? Place a listing in our Health IT Marketplace.