Final Stage 2 Rules Expected by Early September, Official Says

The final rules for Stage 2 of the meaningful use program are expected to be  released by the beginning of September, according to a CMS official, Bloomberg/BNA reports (Bloomberg/BNA,  8/15).

Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who  demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record  systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.

Background on Stage 2

Earlier this year, CMS released a proposed rule outlining requirements for  hospitals and health care providers seeking to attest to Stage 2. The Office of  the National Coordinator for Health IT also released a proposed rule on the standards and criteria for  the certification of EHR systems under Stage 2 of the program.

On July 16, CMS sent the Stage 2 final rule for health care providers to the  Office of Management and Budget for review. On July 31, HHS sent to OMB the  final rule outlining standards and criteria for the certification of EHR  systems under Stage 2.

OMB review is one of the last steps before a rule is published in the Federal Register (iHealthBeat,  8/2).

CMS Official’s Comments

Robert Anthony — a specialist with CMS’ Office of E-Health Standards and  Services — discussed the potential Stage 2 timeline during a Tuesday webinar  sponsored by CMS and the Professional Association of Health Care Office  Management (Bloomberg/BNA, 8/15).

He did not provide specific details about when the Stage 2 final rules would  be published (Roney, Becker’s Hospital Review, 8/16).

Also during the webinar, Anthony said that CMS will audit health care  providers participating in the meaningful use program. He noted that the agency  will focus on providers who show substantial noncompliance  (Bloomberg/BNA, 8/15).

Source: iHealthBeat

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