Meaningful Use

When the ARRA was signed, meaningful use was comprised of three components:

1. The use of a certified EHR in a meaningful manner
2. The use of a certified EHR technology for electronic exchange of health information to improve quality of health care
3. The use of a certified EHR technology to submit clinical quality and other measures

In order for an electronic health record (EHR) to be considered a ‘certified EHR technology’ it must be ONC-ATCB approved.  There are three bodies that can certify an EHR/EMR solution: CCHIT, Drummond Group and InfoGard. Click here to see a list of all of the certified EHR solutions.

Currently, there are two different stages of meaningful use.  Stage 1 of meaningful use must be met in years 2011 and 2012 and includes both a core set and menu set of objectives.

For eligible professionals you must:

• Meet 20 out of the 25 objectives
  • 15 objectives are required (core objectives)
  • 5 objectives are chosen from menu set

For eligible hospitals and CAHs you must:

• Meet 19 out of the 24 Objectives
  • 14 are the required objectives from core set
  • 5 may be chosen from the menu set

The last part of meaningful use is to report clinical quality measures.  Eligible professionals must report on 3 required core measures and 3 additional measures (selected from a set of clinical quality measures).  Eligible hospitals and CAHs must report on all 15 of their clinical quality measures.

The CMS.gov website provides a Stage 1 EHR Meaningful Use spec sheet for eligible professionals.  By clicking the link you will be able to review all of the core and menu objectives.  Or you can view the hospitals/CAHs.

Stage 2 of meaningful use is expected to be implemented in 2013 and Stage 3 in year 2015.