Register for a Joint CMS and PAHCOM Webinar on the EHR Incentive Programs

Join CMS for a Webinar Providing an Introduction and Overview of the EHR Incentive Programs on March 22

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) are holding a free and open webinar on the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs on March 22, 2012, from 3:00 – 4:00 pm ET.

Description:
The webinar, EHR Incentive Programs - Introduction, Overview and Structure, will provide an overview of how the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are structured and administered, and will provide key insights for providers regarding their participation and navigation of the programs.

To Register:
Interested individuals can register online.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Take a Look at CMS’ New Testimonial Videos from the 2011 AOA Conference

Take a Look at CMS’ New Testimonial Videos from the 2011 AOA Conference

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has posted a series of new videos about the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs to the CMS YouTube channel.

At the 2011 American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Conference, CMS filmed seven conference

attendees, who provided their stories about EHRs and the EHR Incentive Programs. In the series, the

testimonial videos discuss topics such as benefits of EHRs and navigating the Incentive Programs.

The videos are:

• Chris Brogan's EHR Story from the 2011 AOA Conference
• EHR: Dr. Norman Vinn's EHR Story from the 2011 AOA Conference
• EHR: Drs. Jeffrey and Melissa Gastorf's EHR Story from the 2011 AOA Conference
• EHR: Richard Rapp's EHR Story from the 2011 AOA Conference
• EHR: Scott Webb's EHR Story from the 2011 AOA Conference
• EHR: Scott Webb's EHR Story from the 2011 AOA Conference
• EHR: Suzie Shettle's EHR Story from the 2011 AOA Conference

Make sure to take a look at CMS' additional EHR videos that are located on the CMS YouTube channel. They include: additional provider testimonials and EHR incentive payment highlights.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Last Day to Attest for a 2011 Incentive Payment

EPs Have Until 6:00am EST tomorrow to Complete Attestation for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program

Today, February 29, 2012, is the final day that eligible professionals (EPs) can submit their attestation for calendar year (CY) 2011 for the Medicare EHR Incentive Programs. The Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Registration and Attestation System will be open until 6:00am EST tomorrow, March 1, 2012, giving EPs a few extra hours to meet the deadline for registration and attestation for CY 2011.

EPs can make sure that they are prepared for attestation by using the Meaningful Use Attestation Calculator, which allows EPs to test their meaningful use core and menu measures.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?

Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Release of the ONC Standards & Certification Criteria NPRM

Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking related to Stage 2 Meaningful Use Released

On Friday, February 24, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) announced the release of a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that details the Standards & Certification Criteria (S&CC) that delineate proposed requirements for certified EHR products. 

ONC's proposed rule identifies standards and criteria for the certification of EHR technology, so eligible professionals and hospitals participating in the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs can be sure that the systems they adopt are capable of performing the required functions to demonstrate either stage of meaningful use that would be in effect starting in 2014. 

This proposed rule complements the newly released CMS proposed rule for Stage 2 requirements for the Incentive Programs, clarifying the specifications necessary to meet the criteria for these programs. Together, these rules will encourage even more providers to participate and support more coordinated, patient-centered care. 

Resources related to the NPRMs:

• CMS fact sheet
• ONC fact sheet
• HHS press release
• Presentation: Proposed Rule Standards & Certification Criteria 2014 Edition

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?

Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website at http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.