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Finding the Resources You Need

By: Darla Shewmaker
Ophthalmic Professional July 1, 2014 Vol 3, Issue July 2014 Page(s): 26, 27
Meaningful Use

Finding the Resources You Need

By Darla Shewmaker, Villa Hills, KY

Many of the requests and e-mails I receive ask for help to find current and correct information for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program (meaningful use). The questions and needs vary, but the common problem is that there are many resources, sources and information that constantly changes. It can be difficult to find updated and accurate answers, so I have created this table as a starting point.

The references in the table are by no means exhaustive. I have listed the sources that are the most reliable based on my experience: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) and the American Academy of Ophthalmology. I recommend adding your e-mail to the CMS Listserv (included below) in order to be notified as information on these programs changes. OP

Sponsor/Category Page Name URL Description
CMS* Registration and Attestation https://ehrincentives.cms.gov/hitech/loginCredentials.action Site is used to register for the MU program and also attest at the end of the reporting period
EHR Incentive Program
CMS Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Program Basics http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Basics.html Overview of the MU program explaining how to qualify, reporting periods and payment amounts
EHR Incentive Program
CMS Eligible Professional Meaningful Use Table of Contents Core and Menu Set Objectives Stage 1 (2014 Definition) http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/EP_MU_TableOfContents_2014definition.pdf PDF document is an overview of all measures that also offers links to details on each of the stage 1 measures
EHR Incentive Program / Stage 1
CMS Eligible Professional Attestation Worksheet for Stage 1 of the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/EP_Attestation_Stage1Worksheet_2014Edition.pdf Worksheet with detailed questions to guide you through attestation prior to completing it on the website
EHR Incentive Program / Stage 1
CMS Stage 2 http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Stage_2.html Resource page for all items related to stage 2
EHR Incentive Program / Stage 2
CMS Stage 2 Eligible Professional (EP) Meaningful Use Core and Menu Measures Table of Contents http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/Stage2_MeaningfulUseSpecSheet_TableContents_EPs.pdf PDF document is an overview of all measures that also offers links to details on each of the stage 2 measures
EHR Incentive Program / Stage 2
CMS Security Risk Analysis Tipsheet: Protecting Patients’ Health Information http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/SecurityRiskAssessment_FactSheet_Updated20131122.pdf Tip Sheet explaining the key components of the security risk analysis which is required for stage 1 and stage 2
Security Risk Analysis
ONC**/ HealthIT.gov Security Risk Assessment Tool http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals/security-risk-assessment-tool Interactive program assists in creating a security risk analysis by answering presented questions
Security Risk Analysis
ONC/ HealthIT.gov Guide to Privacy and Security of Health Information http://www.healthit.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/privacy/privacy-and-security-guide.pdf Detailed guide prepared by the ONC covers both privacy and security of health information
Security Risk Analysis
ONC/ HealthIT.gov HealthIT.gov Overview http://www.healthit.gov/providers-professionals HealthIT.gov offers many resources for implementing electronic health records
EHR Implementation
CMS Clinical Quality Measures (CQMs) http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/ClinicalQualityMeasures.html CQMs for 2014 which apply to both stage 1 and stage 2 for 2014 certified EHRs
CQMs
CMS CMS EHR Incentive Program Listserv http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/CMS_EHR_Listserv.html Sign up to receive notices from CMS as updates are made to the program or new resources are added
EHR Incentive Program
CMS Payment Adjustment and Hardship Exceptions http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/PaymentAdj_Hardship.html Information and applications for hardship exceptions to avoid Medicare penalties in 2015
Hardship Exceptions
ONC/ HealthIT.gov Certified Health IT Product List http://oncchpl.force.com/ehrcert?q=chpl Listing of all certified EHRs for both the 2011 and 2014 program
EHR Incentive Program
AAO IRIS Registry Overview http://www.aao.org/iris-registry/ Assists in achieving Menu Set 6: Capability to identify and report specific cases to a specialized registry
EHR Incentive Program / Stage 2
CMS Press release: CMS rule to help providers make use of Certified EHR Technology http://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Press-releases/2014-Press-releases-items/2014-05-20.html This is a copy of the press release requesting that stage 1 criteria continue for 2014
Delay of Stage 2 Requirements
CMS Medicaid State Information http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/MedicaidStateInfo.html Information for providers who may qualify under the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
EHR Incentive Program/ Medicaid
* CMS – Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services** ONC – Office of the National Coordinator

Ms. Shewmaker has spent 17 years on the front lines of electronic health record design and implementation. She recently left her position as VP of product development and is focusing on ophthalmic practice consultations, education and compliance. Contact her at Darla@destinationsconsulting.com.