Earlier this month, CMS launched the attestation portion of the EHR Incentive Payment Program. Beginning on April 18th, eligible professionals and hospitals are now able to attest to meaningful use (or adopt, implement or upgrade for Medicaid). Along with the attestation itself, CMS launched its Meaningful Use Attestation Calculator, a wizard which walks eligible professionals and hospitals through the meaningful use objectives and enables the entity to determine if it can successfully meet the meaningful use standards prior to filling out the registration form.
For those providers that are able to begin the registration and attestation process, access to registration and attestation is available here. The CMS website also has a user guide that is helpful when registering as well as FAQs. To be eligible for either the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs an eligible professional or hospital must be using certified EHR technology. The ONC provides a list of which EHR systems are “certified.”
In addition, CMS is offering teleconferences regarding registration and attestation:
- Tuesday, May 3, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. ET – Register to join this call if you are an eligible hospital or CAH who wants to learn more about the attestation process for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.
- Thursday, May 5, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. ET– Register to join this call if you are an EP who wants to learn more about the attestation process for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program.
Some states are also offering webinars about the Medicaid EHR Incentive Payment Program and how to register. Registration for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program requires both registration with CMS and on the state level. However, eligible professionals and hospitals will not be able to register with CMS for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program until their state is ready to start its Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. Washington expects to go-live in June 2010; California plans to go-live this Summer for eligible professionals.
If you have questions regarding the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs or would like some assistance with understanding meaningful use or calculating patient volume (Medicaid) please contact Elana Zana or Dave Schoolcraft.
