Latest Government Quick Facts
With all the changes related to meaningful use and certifications, it is a challenge to keep this information current. Rumors fly around the medical industry that are not correct. I have compiled a list of important facts as of 5-26-2010 and have listed them below.
- Medical Practices need to prove Meaningful Use ONLY IF they want to take the government's money (up to $44,000 over 5 years)
- Proving Meaningful Use to the government is not going to be easy. There are many aspects which are going to require practices to track a plethora of information that they currently do not track nor need to for patient care. This will undoubtedly add additional burden to the practice.
- More emphasis is put on Meaningful Use than in EMR Certification
- CCHIT is not the only certification body. (their current certification fee is $35,000 per year, every year for the EMR vendor)
- Prior CCHIT certified EMR's do not qualify. So all those EMR company's marketing "CCHIT 2006,2007,2008,2009 Certified" is useless.
- Many of the 'certified' EMR's are designed to pass the certification, NOT designed for the way medical practices function.
- Only government requirement is that practices use some form of EMR by 2015 and ONLY IF you bill medicare
- If a practice does not want the government money, they can use whatever EMR they want (certified and meaningful use is irrelevant)
- Remember, there are always strings attached when taking money from the government. Ask the banks and the automotive industries!
- Many providers are choosing to purchase their own EMR ($5,000 - $10,000) and not have any government restrictions.
- Many EMR vendors are refusing to pursue the "Certification" process. These vendors will generally have lower cost software (since they don't have to pay $35k every year for the certification) and the EMR will more than likely be tailored towards the medical practice and not loaded up with a bunch of features that providers don't care about, but that is needed for the certification. Advice is to look closely at the EMR and remember these important facts.
By 2015, all medical practices will be required to have EMR/EHR system in place. Penalties in medicare reimbursements will be assessed for those not compliant by 2015. Penalties would only apply to practices taking medicare.
Government will provide some funding (limited) to practices to move to an EMR system. However, much like anything the government does, there are strings attached if you take their money. Here is an excerpt "Awarded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the funding will be used to facilitate grant recipients' participation in the administration's Medical Evidence Gathering and Analysis through Health Information Technology program. As part of the program, participants who receive funding will be required to send medical records through the Nationwide Health Information Network to the SSA once securing a patient's authorization."
Government distribution of the grant money will begin in 2011-2012. Installments will be made over a 5 year period.
EMR software must meet the certification ONLY to qualify for grant money.
Any EMR software provider will have to be certified under the new standards. Prior CCHIT certifications will NOT be valid. Many software providers obtained CCHIT certification in 2006, 2007, 2008 etc and use the 'CCHIT Certified' in their marketing materials however this will not meet the new standards and all software providers will need to meet the 'new' certification requirements.
Any medical practice can purchase an EMR system on their own without the government strings attached. They would still be compliant for the 2015 deadline. The government grant money seems to be the proverbial 'carrot' to have control of patient medical records. Any medical practice should thoroughly investigate the details of any grant.
Links:
ONC HIT Policy Committee Meeting
CCHIT Town Hall Meeting on Preliminary ARRA Certified EHR
Meaningful Use Matrix from HIT Policy Committee