Endocrine Insider
January 7, 2010

(See Full Issue)

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released last week both a proposed rule and an interim final rule on two important provisions of an impending incentive program for physicians using electronic health records (EHR) for patient care. Established through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the program allows physicians to become eligible for up to $44K in incentive payments if they become “meaningful users” of a “certified” EHR. Physicians who do not adopt a certified EHR system will face a reduction in their Medicare fee schedule payments of -1 percent in 2015, -2 percent in 2016, and -3 percent in 2017 and beyond. Exceptions for significant hardships will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Though complex, the proposed and interim final rules provide explanations of what constitutes both “meaningful use” and a “certified” EHR. Endocrine Society staff are currently evaluating the proposed and interim final rules detailing this information and will provide an analysis in the coming weeks. Members wishing to view the proposals released by CMS can obtain them through the links below.

For details and definition on “meaningful use” of an EHR please click here.

For details and explanation of a “certified” EHR, please click here.  

Stay tuned to future issues of Endocrine Insider for more information.