New EHR Incentive Program timeline – How it affects you

CMS recently announced the extension of Stage 2 of the meaningful use timeline through 2016. It’s important to note that this will not delay the start of Stage 2 of meaningful use and it does not affect the reporting periods and deadlines for 2014 participation.

What this means for you

If you begin participation with your first year of Stage 1 in 2014:

• You must begin your 90 days of Stage 1 of meaningful use no later than July 1, 2014, and submit attestation by October 1, 2014, in order to avoid the 2015 payment adjustment.

If you have completed one year of Stage 1 of meaningful use:

• You will demonstrate a second year of Stage 1 of meaningful use in 2014 for a three-month reporting period fixed to the quarter for Medicare or any 90 days for Medicaid. 
• You will demonstrate Stage 2 of meaningful use for two years (2015 and 2016).
• You will begin Stage 3 of meaningful use in 2017.

If you have completed two or more years of Stage 1 of meaningful use:

• You will still demonstrate Stage 2 of meaningful use in 2014 for a three-month reporting period fixed to the quarter for Medicare or any 90 days for Medicaid. 
• You will demonstrate Stage 2 of meaningful use for three years (2014, 2015 and 2016).
• You will begin Stage 3 of meaningful use in 2017.

Resources

• CMS offers resources on Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the EHR Incentive Programs on its website, including the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Beginner’s Guides. Information on certification criteria and additional resources on successful implementation of health information technology can be found on healthit.gov.
• Visit the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.
• Check out COA’s EHR Fact Sheet.

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