Special Report: Meaningful Use defined

Within 24 hours of its self-imposed Dec. 31, 2009 deadline, the federal government issued the criteria for "meaningful use" of healthcare IT that can qualify healthcare organizations for incentive payments under ARRA.

The healthcare industry has been a-flutter with criticism, praise and questioning since the publication of the criteria. This Healthcare IT News special report compiles the most pertinent news coverage, commentary and insight to hit the Web in the weeks following the release of the 700-page definition.

News and Resources

CMS, ONC deliver meaningful use package

The government delivered on Dec. 30, 2009 the long-awaited definition of meaningful use of electronic health record technology, and it came wrapped in about 700 pages of proposed regulation.

Eligible Hospital "Meaningful Use" Criteria

In order for professionals and hospitals to be eligible to receive payments under the incentive programs, provided through the Recovery Act, they must be able to demonstrate meaningful use of a certified EHR system.

Eligible Provider "Meaningful Use" Criteria

The following list of 25 Stage 1 Meaningful Use criteria for eligible providers was taken from the proposed rule: "Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Electronic Health Record Incentive Program."

Brailer: Proposed meaningful use criteria 'feel right'

The "hand of thoughtful policy" created the proposed criteria for meaningful use, according to David J. Brailer, MD, former healthcare IT czar for the Office of the National Coordinator.

Meaningful use criteria 'too high and too many'

Catholic Healthcare West, Intermountain Healthcare and Kaiser Permanente, known as leaders in IT, have implemented EHRs or EMRs, but all have gaps and face challenges trying to meet meaningful use criteria.

Stakeholders have mixed reviews on proposed meaningful use requirements

Physicians and privacy advocates aren't pleased with the newly proposed "meaningful use" requirements with which providers will likely have to comply to gain bonuses under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Blogs and commentaries

A Do it Yourself Board Presentation on Meaningful Use

By John Halamka, MD

Just as I did with the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, I've prepared a presentation that you can use for your Board and stakeholders to review the requirements of the Interim Final Rule and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. Feel free to use it without attribution to me.

Public Comment Period Open

By David Blumenthal, MD

The Meaningful Use NPRM and the Initial Set of Standards and Certification Criteria IFR have now been published and are available for public comment.

Will the Meaningful Use journey become the road not taken?

By Patty Enrado

Yesterday, Dec. 30, CMS released a tome of proposed regulations for achieving Meaningful Use of EHR systems by providers and hospitals. For those who have been closely following the discussion of meaningful use by health IT industry analysts and experts, the list of requirements is likely not a surprise.

Meaningful Use of EHRs - are hospitals ready?

By Robert Rowley, MD

Ever since the release of the proposed final definition of Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records, as well as specifications for what constitutes a Certified EHR, we have been blogging about how this impacts physician practices who are interested in qualifying for incentive payments beginning in 2011.

Stage One Meaningful Use Winners

By John Moore

As required by legislation in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), HHS/CMS released rules for the meaningful use of certified EHRs before the end of 2009 (late the afternoon of Dec. 30th).

Meaningful Use Resources

From HHS