What does 'Meaningful Use' of an EHR system mean?

Friday, February 5, 2010 by Jeremy Weaver
On Dec 30, 2009, CMS issued a notice of proposed rule making that provided information about the Medicare and Medicaid EMR/EHR incentive programs.  Also included was a proposed definition for the term 'Meaningful Use'.  In short, it basically outlines what an eligible professional or eligible hospital must do to prove 'meaningful use' of a certified EMR/EHR system to be eligible for the incentive payments.

For Providers, the proposed rule lists 25 objectives and measurements that must be met to prove Stage 1 Meaningful Use. 

For example:  It doesn't just state that you must have a certified EHR system that can send prescriptions electronically or that you use it, instead it states an objective and a measurement.
  • Objective:  Generate and transmit permissible prescriptions electronically.
  • Measurement:  At least 75% of all permissible prescriptions written by the eligible professional are transmitted electronically using a certified EHR technology.
Almost all of the 25 objectives have measurements this way to prove to CMS that the EHR is actually being used ... in a meaningful way.  We are currently in a 60 day comment period to the rule and CMS is asking for your feedback.

For more information about Meaningful Use, I encourage you to go to CMS' website and read as much information as you can and send any comments you have to CMS.

I also encourage you to go to Bradford-Scott's website and find out more about Intergy EHR by Sage and how Bradford-Scott and Intergy EHR can help you move towards becoming a meaningful EHR user!

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