CMS Conducts Meaningful Use Audit in California June 26, 2013 EHR, Medicare, Physician Resource EHR, meaningful use audit, meaningful use, Medicare 0 CMS has begun auditing California physicians who received payments through the federal electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs. Physicians selected for the audit have received letters from CMS contractor Figliozzi and Co., with requests for documentation to support their stage 1 meaningful use attestation. Figliozzi is an accounting firm that specializes in auditing health care facilities for Medicare cost compliance. Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments by demonstrating meaningful use of certified EHR systems. The law also requires CMS to audit health care providers attesting to meaningful use. According to CMS, the audits will impact 5-10% of physicians who have received incentive payments. The letters generally request that physicians provide the following information: Evidence that they are using certified EHR technology Their method of reporting emergency department admissions Documentation that the physician completed the attestation module for the core set and menu set objectives and measures. Physician practices who receive such a letter should consider contacting a Local Extension Center (Lumetra in San Francisco), their EHR vendor, or a consultant for assistance. For more information about meaningful use and preparation for the meaningful use audit, please refer to “Ask the SFMS” column (p. 6-7) in the April 2013 issue of San Francisco Medicine. Comments are closed.
