MEANINGFUL USE

“Meaningful Use” has been one of most written and discussed topic in recent history in healthcare, yet it is commonly misunderstood. This lack of knowledge has created many myths about “meaningful use” that if not clarified, providers will miss out on one of the most important incentive programs offered in years.

Myth:  “My vendor told me if I install their certified EHR, I meet the Meaningful Use requirements.”
Fact:  An EHR is just a tool. Unless you use it in a meaningful way, you will not meet the Meaningful use requirements.

Myth:  “I can get money from both Medicare and Medicaid.”
Fact:  Although true for Hospitals, for office-base physicians, he/she must choose one.

Myth:  “All my providers have to qualify at the same time.”
Fact:  Each provider can qualify at different times.

Myth:  “There’s no financial impact if I don’t do this.”
Fact: Penalties for not meeting Meaningful Use requirements will start on 2015. However, penalties for not meeting the e-Prescribing requirements can start as early as 2012.

Myth:  “Once I qualify, I am good till I get all the money.”
Fact:  There are 3 stages of Meaningful Use planned currently. Each stage requires its own unique requirements. Providers must be diligent about using the certified EHR in a meaningful way to continually meet meaningful use requirements year over year.

Myth:  “I just don’t have the knowledge or time to do this. It’s just not worth the headache.”
Fact:  With eRECORDS, lack of knowledge and/or time should not be the hindrance.  eRECORDS offers a “Worry Free™” products to take away these obstacles so that your organization can achieve and maintain meaningful use status without sacrificing your day to day mission of providing high quality healthcare.

To clear these and other myths, we must start from the beginning. What is “meaningful use”?

WHAT IS “meaningful use”?

To answer this question, we need to look at the government Act that gave us the words “meaningful use”. HITECH Act, as part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), authorizes the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) to offer incentives for demonstrating “meaningful use” of a certified EHR system.

To demonstrate “meaningful use” of a certified EHR system, CMS has outlined 25 objectives (23 for hospitals), requirements and measures each Eligible Provider must meet (20 out of 25 for EPs and 19 out of 23 for eligible Hospitals/CAHs). For providers, four key components must exist to qualify and receive incentive payments:

• Provider must qualify as an Eligible Professional (EP) as defined by CMS 
• Access to an implemented certified EHR System as defined by CMS
• “Meaningful Use” of the certified EHR System by the Eligible Professional
• Report “Meaningful Use” measures to CMS/State

“Meaningful Use” is really about how the Eligible Professional uses the certified EHR in a meaningful way as he/she provides healthcare services to patients.

With the right expert guidance, community clinics and practice groups can achieve “meaningful use” without sacrificing time and/or mission goals.

To find out more, please contact us at worryfree@eRecords.com.