CMS releases EHR meaningful use final rule

July 19, 2010 — On Tuesday, July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a Final Rule, which defines “meaningful use” of an electronic health record (EHR). 

Demonstrating meaningful use of an EHR is one requirement for obtaining a federal incentive bonus for use of an EHR. In January, when the proposed rule on meaningful use was released, ACA identified a number of concerns with the proposed meaningful use criteria and ACA outlined those concerns in comments to CMS. 

CMS’ final rule on meaningful use reflects changes in response to ACA’s concerns. Specifically, the requirement to electronically prescribe medication has been modified so that individuals who write fewer than 100 prescriptions in one year will not have to meet the requirement to e-prescribe to achieve meaningful use. 

In response to ACA concerns, CMS has also changed the criteria so that the performance of medication reconciliation is no longer an essential objective for demonstrating meaningful use. 

For an overview of the final rule on meaningful use click here.  Please look for updates on these regulations and EHRs in upcoming ACA publications.

Source: American Chiropractic Association, www.acatoday.org