CMS wants to keep you updated with the latest resources on the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. Two new FAQs on clinical quality measures (CQMs) and meaningful use have been added to our website. Take a minute and review these new FAQs.
1. For the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, if the certified EHR technology possessed by an eligible professional (EP) generates zero denominators for all CQMs in the additional set that it can calculate, is the EP responsible for determining whether they have zero denominators or data for any remaining CQMs in the additional set that their certified EHR technology is not capable of calculating? Read the answer.
2. For the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, if certified EHR technology possessed by an EP includes the ability to calculate CQMs from the additional set that are not indicated by the EHR developer or on the Certified Health Information Technology Product List (CHPL) as tested and certified by an ONC - Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB), can the EP submit the results of those CQMs to CMS as part of their meaningful use attestation? Read the answer.
For more information about the CQMs, take a look at the CQM Page of the EHR website.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
5 New EHR Incentive Program FAQs from CMS
CMS wants to keep you updated with the latest resources on the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. Five New FAQs on meaningful use have been added to their website. Take a minute and review these new FAQs.
1. For the meaningful use objective of "capability to exchange key clinical information" for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, does exchange of electronic information using physical media, such as USB, CD-ROM, or other formats, meet the measure of this objective? Read the answer.
2. For the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, how should an eligible professional (EP) who orders medications infrequently calculate the measure for the “computerized provider order entry (CPOE)” objective if the EP sees patients whose medications are maintained in the medication list by the EP but were not ordered or prescribed by the EP? Read the answer.
3. How should patients in swing beds be counted in the denominators of meaningful use measures for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs? Read the answer.
4. How should nursery day patients be counted in the denominators of meaningful use measures for eligible hospitals and CAHs for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs? Read the answer.
5. What lab tests should be included in the denominator of the measure for the “incorporate clinical lab-test results” objective under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs? Read the answer.
To view more FAQs or to post one yourself, please visit the CMS FAQ Home Page.
1. For the meaningful use objective of "capability to exchange key clinical information" for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, does exchange of electronic information using physical media, such as USB, CD-ROM, or other formats, meet the measure of this objective? Read the answer.
2. For the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, how should an eligible professional (EP) who orders medications infrequently calculate the measure for the “computerized provider order entry (CPOE)” objective if the EP sees patients whose medications are maintained in the medication list by the EP but were not ordered or prescribed by the EP? Read the answer.
3. How should patients in swing beds be counted in the denominators of meaningful use measures for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs? Read the answer.
4. How should nursery day patients be counted in the denominators of meaningful use measures for eligible hospitals and CAHs for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs? Read the answer.
5. What lab tests should be included in the denominator of the measure for the “incorporate clinical lab-test results” objective under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs? Read the answer.
To view more FAQs or to post one yourself, please visit the CMS FAQ Home Page.
Bringing Health Home Webinar: Electronic Health Information Exchange – What is it?
Join the BHH Learning Collaborative for a Webinar on June 14.
Space is limited, so reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/865819744
Presenter: Janice Whittleton, Director of Business Development and Outreach at the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO)
The practice of medicine has long relied on the fax machine, courier and mail to share patient information. Today’s fragmented paper-based system does not support providers in preparing to effectively participate in providing value driven healthcare in the years ahead. This webinar will introduce folks to the world of electronic health information sharing. Janice Whittleton will present on:
• New Realities in Healthcare
• Overview of CORHIO
• Colorado’s Roadmap for Health Information Technology
• A Community Based Approach to Health Information Exchange
Title: BHH Learning Collaborative: Electronic Health Information Exchange – What is it?
Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MDT
Space is limited, so reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/865819744
Presenter: Janice Whittleton, Director of Business Development and Outreach at the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO)
The practice of medicine has long relied on the fax machine, courier and mail to share patient information. Today’s fragmented paper-based system does not support providers in preparing to effectively participate in providing value driven healthcare in the years ahead. This webinar will introduce folks to the world of electronic health information sharing. Janice Whittleton will present on:
• New Realities in Healthcare
• Overview of CORHIO
• Colorado’s Roadmap for Health Information Technology
• A Community Based Approach to Health Information Exchange
Title: BHH Learning Collaborative: Electronic Health Information Exchange – What is it?
Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Time: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM MDT
Thursday, May 19, 2011
EHR Incentive Program Registration Update for Eligible Providers
Eligible Providers (EPs) can now designate a third-party to register and attest for them on the CMS Registration and Medicare Attestation pages.
CMS has implemented functionality that allows an EP to designate a third party to register and attest on his or her behalf. To do so, users working on behalf of an EP must have an Identity and Access Management System (I&A) web user account (User ID/Password), and be associated to the EP's NPI. If you are working on behalf of an EP(s) and do not have an I&A web user account, please visit I&A Security Check to create one.
For more information, please see the Registration overview page on the CMS EHR Incentive website.
CMS has implemented functionality that allows an EP to designate a third party to register and attest on his or her behalf. To do so, users working on behalf of an EP must have an Identity and Access Management System (I&A) web user account (User ID/Password), and be associated to the EP's NPI. If you are working on behalf of an EP(s) and do not have an I&A web user account, please visit I&A Security Check to create one.
For more information, please see the Registration overview page on the CMS EHR Incentive website.
Monday, May 16, 2011
THE Consortium May Webinar: HIPAA, Meaningful Use and Billing Best Practices
Join us for the May Consortium webinar on Thursday, May 19th from 12:00-1:15 pm MT where we will discuss HIPAA best practices, continue our look at Meaningful Use and the Clinical Quality Measures and emerging trends in billing.
To register for this webinar, click here.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Friday, May 13, 2011
New Materials Posted to the CMS EHR Website
New Attestation Resources Have Been Posted
CMS has developed attestation worksheets to help providers successfully attest to meeting meaningful use through the CMS web-based attestation system.
These attestation worksheets allow eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) to log additional data for core and menu measures that might not be obtained only through their certified electronic health record (EHR) system. In order to provide complete and accurate information for certain of these measures, EPs and hospitals may have to include information from paper-based patient records or from other areas. (Please note that clinical quality measures must be reported directly from certified EHR technology).
You can fill out the attestation worksheets electronically or manually, and then keep the worksheet on hand as you attest so your data is easily accessible.
You can find the worksheets by clicking the links below. Make sure to use the worksheet that pertains to you:
• Attestation Worksheet for Eligible Professionals
• Attestation Worksheet for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
Updates to the Comprehensive EHR Incentive Program FAQs Document
CMS has also posted the latest FAQs document on the CMS website. This interactive document provides updated FAQs up to the end of April 2011. Each FAQ is sorted by topic to help you more easily review information about various aspects of the EHR Incentive Programs. CMS will continue to provide updates as new FAQs are added.
CMS has developed attestation worksheets to help providers successfully attest to meeting meaningful use through the CMS web-based attestation system.
These attestation worksheets allow eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) to log additional data for core and menu measures that might not be obtained only through their certified electronic health record (EHR) system. In order to provide complete and accurate information for certain of these measures, EPs and hospitals may have to include information from paper-based patient records or from other areas. (Please note that clinical quality measures must be reported directly from certified EHR technology).
You can fill out the attestation worksheets electronically or manually, and then keep the worksheet on hand as you attest so your data is easily accessible.
You can find the worksheets by clicking the links below. Make sure to use the worksheet that pertains to you:
• Attestation Worksheet for Eligible Professionals
• Attestation Worksheet for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals
Updates to the Comprehensive EHR Incentive Program FAQs Document
CMS has also posted the latest FAQs document on the CMS website. This interactive document provides updated FAQs up to the end of April 2011. Each FAQ is sorted by topic to help you more easily review information about various aspects of the EHR Incentive Programs. CMS will continue to provide updates as new FAQs are added.
Monday, May 9, 2011
National Provider Call on the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs: Understanding
Wish you knew more about how to use electronic health records (EHRs) to earn incentive payments from CMS? CMS will hold a national provider education call to help you learn more about meaningful use on Thursday, May 19 at 2:30 p.m. EDT.
This call will cover:
• The definition of meaningful use
• The requirements for Stage 1 of meaningful use (2011 and 2012)
• How to attest to having met meaningful use
• Overview of the meaningful use objectives specification sheets
o Stage 1 EHR Meaningful Use Specification Sheets for Eligible Professionals
o Stage 1 EHR Meaningful Use Specification Sheets for Eligible Hospitals
• Q&A about meaningful use
Registration will close at 2:30 p.m. ET on May 18, 2011, or when available space has been filled.
To register, click here.
This call will cover:
• The definition of meaningful use
• The requirements for Stage 1 of meaningful use (2011 and 2012)
• How to attest to having met meaningful use
• Overview of the meaningful use objectives specification sheets
o Stage 1 EHR Meaningful Use Specification Sheets for Eligible Professionals
o Stage 1 EHR Meaningful Use Specification Sheets for Eligible Hospitals
• Q&A about meaningful use
Registration will close at 2:30 p.m. ET on May 18, 2011, or when available space has been filled.
To register, click here.
Monday, May 2, 2011
How do I get paid for the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs?
Payments for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are distributed based on each year of participation, and follow a specific payment schedule. Located below are payment details on the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. For an overview, see the Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters Special Edition article (SE1111) – Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Payment Process.
Medicare EHR Incentive Program
• Eligible professionals (EPs): EPs can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. There's an additional incentive for EPs who provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).To get the maximum incentive payment, Medicare EPs must begin participation by 2012.
• Eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs): Incentive payments to eligible hospitals and CAHs may begin as early as 2011, and are based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment.
Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
• EPs: The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is voluntarily offered by states and territories. EPs can receive up to $63,750 over the six years that they choose to participate in the program. Medicaid EPs must initiate the program by 2016.
• Eligible hospitals: Medicaid hospitals that qualify for incentive payments may begin receiving incentive payments as early as FY 2011. Hospital payments are based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment. Medicaid hospitals must initiate the payments by 2016.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Medicare Administration Contractors (MACs), carriers, and Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs) will not be making Medicare EHR incentive payments. CMS has contracted with a Payment File Development Contractor to make these payments.
DON'T: Call your MAC/Carrier/FI with questions about your EHR incentive payment.
INSTEAD: Call the EHR Information Center
• Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
• 1-888-734-6433 (primary number) or 888-734-6563 (TTY number).
A revised FAQ on payment for the EHR Incentive Programs has been posted to the EHR website
Question: For the 2011 payment year, how and when will incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program be made?
Answer: For EPs, incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program will be made approximately four to eight weeks after an EP successfully attests that they have demonstrated meaningful use of certified EHR technology. However, EPs will not receive incentive payments within that timeframe if they have not yet met the threshold for allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the year. Read the rest of the answer to this FAQ here.
Medicare EHR Incentive Program
• Eligible professionals (EPs): EPs can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. There's an additional incentive for EPs who provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA).To get the maximum incentive payment, Medicare EPs must begin participation by 2012.
• Eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs): Incentive payments to eligible hospitals and CAHs may begin as early as 2011, and are based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment.
Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
• EPs: The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is voluntarily offered by states and territories. EPs can receive up to $63,750 over the six years that they choose to participate in the program. Medicaid EPs must initiate the program by 2016.
• Eligible hospitals: Medicaid hospitals that qualify for incentive payments may begin receiving incentive payments as early as FY 2011. Hospital payments are based on a number of factors, beginning with a $2 million base payment. Medicaid hospitals must initiate the payments by 2016.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Medicare Administration Contractors (MACs), carriers, and Fiscal Intermediaries (FIs) will not be making Medicare EHR incentive payments. CMS has contracted with a Payment File Development Contractor to make these payments.
DON'T: Call your MAC/Carrier/FI with questions about your EHR incentive payment.
INSTEAD: Call the EHR Information Center
• Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. (Central Time) Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
• 1-888-734-6433 (primary number) or 888-734-6563 (TTY number).
A revised FAQ on payment for the EHR Incentive Programs has been posted to the EHR website
Question: For the 2011 payment year, how and when will incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program be made?
Answer: For EPs, incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program will be made approximately four to eight weeks after an EP successfully attests that they have demonstrated meaningful use of certified EHR technology. However, EPs will not receive incentive payments within that timeframe if they have not yet met the threshold for allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the year. Read the rest of the answer to this FAQ here.
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