CMS issues final rule to extend meaningful use requirements

The 2009 federal economic stimulus package included incentive payments for providers who could demonstrate meaningful use (MU) of certified EHRs. The final rule provides additional flexibility by allowing health care providers to use the 2011 Edition certified EHR technology or a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition certified EHR technology for the 2014 EHR reporting period. Providers will be able to attest to MU under the 2013 reporting year definition and use the clinical quality measures from 2013. Providers will not be penalized for failing to move to MU Stage 2 during the 2014 reporting period. The final rule noted that these changes are just for 2014 and that all eligible providers will be required to use the 2014 Edition of certified EHR technology beginning in 2015. Further, CMS said that it would delay the start date for Stage 3 from Jan. 1, 2016, to Jan. 1, 2017, giving MU participants more time to meet Stage 2 requirements and begin working towards Stage 3.