REGISTER FOR MEDICARE EHR INCENTIVE PROGRAM BY FEBRUARY 28, 2013

Protection of patient privacy and security of patient e-PHi is a requirement of Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Programs. Your practice must protect the confidentiality,  integrity and availability of your patient’s EHR.

Meaningful Use is using certified technology in EHR to engage patients and families while improving quality of care, safety, and efficiency. It also improves care coordination and public health while maintaining privacy and security of patient health information.

To qualify for CMS incentive programs, you must complete meaningful use objectives.

February 28th, 2013 is the last day to register and attest for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program  to receive an incentive payment for CY 2012

Current Meaningful Use Stage 1 requirements for EP’s : 15 core objectives and 5 menu objectives and 6 clinical quality measures (CQM). The following are 2 of the 15 core measures:

1. Core Objective and Measure 12: Access under the HIPAA Privacy Rule

EP must provide patients with electronic copy of their health information, upon request

Measure :  must be >50% of patients who request copy receive in 3 business days

2. Core Objective and Measure 15: Under the HIPAA Security Rule implement policies and procedures to prevent, detect, contain and correct security violations

EP must protect electronic health information created or maintained by certified EHR technology

Measure: conduct/review a security risk analysis, implement security updates and correct security deficiencies.  Risk analysis includes collecting data, identifying  potential threats and vulnerabilities, determining likelihood of threat occurrence and potential impact, assessing current security measures, determining level of risk , documenting final assessment , reviewing and updating risk assessments.

Stage 2 of Meaningful Use begins January 1, 2014 .  EPs must meet 17 core objectives and 3 menu objectives or a total of 20 core objectives and 9 of 64 recommended Clinical Quality Measures (CQM).  A new core objective has been added in Stage 2 for EP’s: Use secure electronic messaging to communicate with patients on relevant health information.

See CMS Table for EP’s Stage 1 vs Stage 2

Eligible professionals can receive up to $44,000  over five years through Medicare EHR Incentive Program and up to $63,750 through the Medicaid Incentive Program. Starting in 2015, Medicare EP’s who do not successfully achieve meaningful use will be subject to a 1% reduction in payment, increasing  yearly up to 5 %.