EHR "Meaningful Use" Requirements Announced
Medicare recently released the final rule defining "meaningful use" of an electronic health record (EHR) system, a key requirement physicians must achieve in order to qualify for federal incentive funds. Many of the changes to the final rule were directly responsive to CMA's comments. The reporting requirements in the final rule are greatly simplified and physicians have more flexibility to choose measures that apply to their specialty. Also, r physicians practicing in areas lacking health information technology (HIT) infrastructure, such as health information exchanges and immunization registries, will still be able to qualify under the new rules.

Preliminary List of Certified Vendors Expected this Fall
Federal health officials also established an HR certification program, which will enable certification of EHR products by early to mid-fall.    To qualify for Federal incentive funds to offset HIT adoption costs physicians will be required to be using an EHR system that is Federally certified.

The way the rules governing the EHR certification program are constructed, an EHR system could potentially be certified under the temporary program, and not under the permanent one. It is also conceivable that a system could be certified to achieve stage 1 of meaningful use, but not stages 2 and 3. Because it is possible that an EHR system could be initially certified but not quality for subsequent certification requirements that may be promulgated, ACCMA and CMA recommend that physicians obtain a guarantee from vendors that their system will meet all certification requirements and all stages of the "meaningful use" requirements.

Physicians should continue to utilize this time to prepare for the transition to EHR. Until the first list of certified EHR systems is published, physicians can spend time assessing their practices’ EHR needs, mapping office work-flow, and researching potential vendors. Such preparation will enable practices to move quickly once vendors are certified.

For more information, visit the Health Information Technology Resource Center below. In addition, the July/August 2010 issue of ACCMA Bulletin features a more detailed health information technology update.  Additionally, the ACCMA will be working with the recently Federally-funded organization "CALHIPSO" to offer services to assist physicians with HIT assessment, purchase, and implementation.  Further information about that program will be announced soon.

Health Information Technology/E-Prescribing Resource Center
The 2009 federal economic stimulus package includes $19 billion for health information technology (HIT), the vast majority of which are projected to be directed to physicians to subsidize the purchase and usage of electronic health record (EHR) systems. Beginning in 2011, qualifying Medicare providers can receive up to $44,000 in incentives under the program, while qualifying Medi-Cal providers can receive up to $64,000.   

To assist ACCMA members who would like to plan for or implement EMR, or who would like to participate in the Medicare electronic prescribing program, the ACCMA has created an online "Health Information Technology/E-Prescribing Resource Center", which includes many helpful resources.

Enter the Health Information Technology/E-Prescribing Resource Center 
IMPORTANT NOTE: These materials are for members only.  Therefore, you must Sign In to view them.  You may need your CMA ID and Medical License Number to Sign In if it is your first time.  Please call the ACCMA at 510-654-5383 to obtain your CMA ID or for additional assistance.