December 13, Montgomery, AL The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has modified the current Stage 1 requirements for Meaningful Use effective beginning January 1, 2013. In an effort to keep clinics aware of upcoming changes and the most recent changes, MediSYS for Physicians will be offering intense training classes targeted toward clinics that are participating, will be participating and are considering participation in the Meaningful Use Incentive programs for Medicare and Medicaid in the future. Staying informed about the latest changes allows clinics the opportunity to successfully qualify for incentive funds available. Several of the changes offer an alternative measure, while others provide exclusions for providers or are measures that have been removed from the criteria completely.
Listed below is a brief summary of the changes for 2013:
Core Measure 1 CPOE (Computerized Provider Order Entry) – Now has an alternative measure. The current denominator is based on unique patients. The added optional alternative denominator will be based on the total number of medication orders during the reporting period.
Core Measure 4 eRx – Now has an exclusion. The exclusion will include an EP (Eligible Professional) that is not within a 10 mile radius of a pharmacy that accepts electronic prescriptions at the start of the reporting period.
Core Measure 8 Vital Signs – Now has an amendment for age limitations and an addition for exclusions. Record blood pressure for patients 3 and over, and height and weight for patients of all ages. If an EP does not see patients 3 and over, they can be excluded from recording the BP. If all 3 vitals (height, weight, BP) are not relevant to your scope of practice, EP would not record any vitals and file the exclusion. If height and weight are not relevant, then EP would only record BP. If BP is not relevant, then EP would only record height and weight.
Core Measure 10 CQM (Clinical Quality Measures)– The EP is no longer required to report Core Measure 10 as a separate measure, however EPs will still be required to report on the Clinical Quality Measures.
Core Measure 14 Electronic Exchange of Information – This measure will be removed from reporting. Objective is no longer required.
Menu Measures 1 and 2 Immunization Registry and Syndromic Surveillance – Clarification to the measure will include “except where prohibited” to objective text.
MediSYS for Physicians understands the importance of keeping clients informed in all areas of Meaningful Use. CMS is constantly updating and revising pertinent information on their website so please refer to CMS: EHR Incentive Programs Meaningful Use frequently to review new information, as well as if you have questions through the FAQ section at https://questions.cms.gov/faq.php.
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Media Contact:
Kelly Cannon
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205-631-5969