The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) have published their proposed rules in the Federal Register as of today. CMS and ONC will accept public comment through May 7. These agencies expect to publish final rules during the summer. Below are links to the rules, as well as a clarification of each:
The CMS proposed rule specifies the criteria that eligible professionals and hospitals must meet to qualify for Medicare and/or Medicaid meaningful use incentive payments. NASL presented this summary last week.
The ONC proposed rule establishes the technical capabilities and related standards and implementation specifications that electronic health records must meet to become certified as supporting Stage 2 meaningful use criteria. This summary was prepared by NASL member John Derr.
Note: ONC requested from NASL (in my meeting with them) to have NASL comment on the ONC proposed rule, specifically the areas of the requirements for certification that are applicable to LTPAC. This information is located at the end of the ONC Proposed Rule. This would be a priority for the new NASL Standards subcommittee.
