Understanding

The Final Ruleand

Meaningful Use Changesfor 2014 & 2015

The Final Rule

Meaningful Use Changes

Understanding The Final Rule and Meaningful Use Changes

Table of Contents

Introduction

What is the Final Rule?

How Does Meaningful Use Affect Me?

How Do I Avoid Penalties?

Avoid 2015 Penalties

Avoid 2016 Penalties

How Do I Get Started with Meaningful Use?

2013 and 2014 Stage 1 Core Objectives

2013 and 2014 Stage 1 Menu Objectives

Stage 2 Core Objectives

Stage 2 Menu Objectives

Clinical Quality Measures

Conclusion

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Table of Contents

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Understanding The Final Rule and Meaningful Use Changes

2014 has proven to be quite an eventful year in the world of Meaningful Use. At the start of 2014, EHR vendors were required to undergo new certification processes so that doctors can meet 2014 Meaningful Use requirements. As many EHR vendors struggled to achieve certification, doctors were also having trouble implementing a 2014 system.

In response to these challenges, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced “the Final Rule”, which gave doctors the option to use their 2011 systems to participate in Meaningful Use this year. While it introduced some flexibility to doctors who want to participate in the program, it also added more confusion for many. On top of that, 2014 is also the last year for doctors to participate in the program to receive incentives and avoid penalties.

So, you’re probably wondering what options you have if you haven’t participated in the program and if the Final Rule can help you. It can be hard to keep up with all the rules and regulations, so leave it to us to explain it all in this eBook!

We’ll explain what the Final Rule means for you, and go through a couple of scenarios you might find yourself facing. And for those getting started with either Stage 1 or Stage 2, we’ll go through the steps you’ll need to take to complete each stage and how to avoid penalties. We’ll also leave you with a bunch of official resources from the CMS so you can get registered and begin!

IntroductionIntroduction

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Understanding The Final Rule and Meaningful Use Changes

In September, the CMS released a Final Rule that brought a couple of changes to the Meaningful Use Program. In a nutshell, the final ruling grants flexibility to providers who are unable to implement a 2014 Edition EHR in 2014, and pushes the start of Stage 3 to 2017, at the earliest.

Before the Final Rule, if you wanted to participate in Meaningful Use in 2014, you had to participate with a 2014 certified system and attest to 2014 objectives, regardless of the stage you are in.

With the Final Rule, if were unable to implement a 2014 certified EHR this year, and would like to begin participation, you now have the flexibility to use your 2011 certified system, but only to attest to 2013 Stage 1 objectives. Or, if you have a system that is both 2011 and 2014 certified, you have the choice to either attest to 2013 Stage 1 or 2014 Stage 1 objectives.

If you have already implemented a 2014 certified system, you will only be able to attest to 2014 objectives and measures.

Meaningful Use Recap

Attestation is the legal statement that shows that you have met all of the requirements of the Meaningful Use Program.

During the attestation process, you will answer yes/no questions and report the percentages met on the core objectives, menu objectives, and clinical quality measures.

The Final Rule 2014

Note that you cannot simply attest using your 2011 certified system just because you didn’t want to upgrade your system.

Valid reasons for being unable to implement a 2014 certified EHR include your EHR vendor not having a 2014 product, or them releasing the product without enough time to train and use.

What is the Final Rule?What is the Final Rule?

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