Comment Period Begins for Stage 2 Meaningful Use

Two Notices of Proposed Rulemaking were published in the Federal Register yesterday. One was issued by ONC and the other by CMS. The CMS rule is the “Meaningful Use rule”. It deals with the new requirements that CMS is proposing for stage 2 meaningful use and what participants in the EHR Incentive Programs would have to meet to demonstrate meaningful use in the program. The companion ONC rule discusses the certification capabilities and standards and tests that Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) would actually have to do. The two rules overlap some but they are different.

The publishing date is important because it automatically begins the 60-day comment period for both notices. CMS and ONC are soliciting comments that will be reviewed for consideration to write the final rules. Comments can be positive and agreeing with proposed items, of concern with a specific proposed item, or in disagreement with a proposed item. All comments will be published during the 60-day period and all comments will be read and reviewed by issuing agency. The comment period ends on May 7, 2012.

Medicare and Medicaid Programs: Electronic Health Record Incentive Program-Stage 2 Meaningful Use
Federal Register page 13698
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Health Information Technology; Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria: Electronic Health Record Technology, 2014 Edition
Federal Register page 13832
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You can read a summary of Stage 2 meaningful use that looks at the 5 major provisions proposed by CMS. You can also review our summary of the EHR certification criteria edition 2014 listing the criteria for Base EHR.

If you would like to listen to the Robert Anthony of CMS talk about the NPRM for proposed Stage 2 meaningful use you can listen to the recorded podcast of our interview with him or listen in at 10 am ET/2 pm ET/6 pm ET and 10 pm ET today, tomorrow and Monday at www.HealthcareNOWradio.com.