CMS Proposes Stretching Stage 1 in EHR Incentive Program May 20, 2014 EHR, News, Technology Meaningful Use, Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, ONC, CMS, Stage 1 0 A new CMS proposed rule issued today allows health care providers to have one extra year to use 2011 Edition software in their electronic health record systems under the federal incentive program for health IT. Providers scheduled to jump to the program's Stage 2 criteria will have another year to stay at Stage 1. Hospitals, physicians and other eligible professionals trying to meet the program's Stage 1 meaningful-use criteria can continue to use 2011 Edition software under the proposal, which will give them “more flexibility,” according to a joint announcement by the CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The agencies cited the slow delivery and implementation of the upgraded 2014 Edition software as the reason for the delay. Through letters to CMS, public forums, listening sessions and public comment at CMS meetings, many provider associations have expressed concern that, although 2014 Edition (technology) may be available for adoption, there is a backlog of many months for the updated version to be installed and implemented so that providers can successfully attest for 2014,” the rule writers said. “We also understand that the delay in availability may limit a provider's ability to fully implement 2014 Edition (technology) across the facility.” Source: Modern Healthcare, May 20, 2014. Comments are closed.
