CMS Releases Notice on Meaningful Use, ONC Issues Certification Standards
CMS and ONC released proposed and interim regulations on meaningful use and EHR certification late yesterday as the year wound down.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released a 556-page notice of proposed rulemaking defining the “meaningful use” of EHRs and describing the provisions governing the incentive programs. [January 13 update: official publication occurred in the Federal Register today.]
The program details, discussed and anticipated through much of the year, enable vendors and providers to begin working toward eligibility for EHR adoption and use incentives described in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Payments to eligible providers begin in late 2010.
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT released an interim final rule describing related requirements and technical specifications for EHR technology. Providers must use certified EHRs to participate in the incentive program. The releases were announced in a joint CMS-ONC press conference late yesterday due to their close connection. [January 13 update: official publication occurred in the Federal Register today.]
ONC’s interim final rule will go into effect 30 days from its official publication in the Federal Register. The CMS notice is a proposal, intended to solicit public comment before rulemaking progresses. Publication of both is expected by mid-January. (more…)


