CHICAGO – The first public comment period for the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology's 2011 development cycle is open through Dec. 11.

The CCHIT will accept comments on the first draft of criteria for behavioral health electronic health records – both stand-alone and as an optional add-on to comprehensive ambulatory EHR certification – as well as add-on certifications for clinical research and dermatology.

After additional rounds of comment and refinement, the new certification options are scheduled to be made available to vendors in July 2010.

Comments will only be taken through the commission's Web site.

"Dedicated volunteers in these specialty care areas have done a remarkable job drafting criteria that will provide more options for our 2011 comprehensive certification program," said Mark Leavitt, MD, chairman of the commission. "Our goal is to recognize the diversity of medical practices and specializations that make up healthcare, and tailor certification programs accordingly."

The CCHIT received more than 20 applications the 2011 certification programs, with both the CCHIT comprehensive and preliminary ARRA pathways represented, Leavitt noted. The certified products would be announced soon, he said.

The commission also plans to open public comment from Dec. 14 through Jan. 12, 2010, on the first round of criteria for long term and post acute care EHRs.

The first priority for is development of a core set of criteria for the collection of care settings in this new domain and specific criteria for the first two settings – skilled nursing facilities and home health agencies – identified as priorities by the commission's Long Term and Post Acute Care Advisory Task Force. These certification programs are also scheduled for a July 2010 launch.