CMS has added three new questions and answers to its FAQ section regarding electronic health record incentive programs.
The new questions include:
1. If an eligible provider practices at an outpatient location that has not implemented all the functionalities necessary for the EP to meet meaningful use, is that location considered equipped with certified electronic health records technology? Must that location be included in the EP's meaningful use calculations? Does it matter if the location possesses ambulatory certified EHR technology covering the relevant meaningful use objectives, but does not implement them?
2. If an eligible provider practices at an outpatient location, a location other than an inpatient (place of service 21) or emergency department (place of service 23), and that location is only equipped with certified electronic health records technology certified to the criteria applicable to an inpatient setting, must the EP include that location in their meaningful use calculations?
3. When combining meaningful use data from multiple locations equipped with certified electronic health records technology, is it required to have a full meaningful use report from each location, or is it acceptable to only collect denominator information from one or more locations?
CMS has also updated the following three questions:
1. How and when will incentive payments for the Medicare electronic health record
incentive programs be made?
2. If multiple eligible professionals or eligible hospitals contribute information to a shared portal or to a patient's online personal health record, how is it counted for meaningful use when the patient accesses the information on the portal or PHR?
3. If I participated in the Medicaid electronic health records incentive program last year, am I required to participate in the following year?
CMS Touts Lower Healthcare Spending, Readmissions Under PPACA
CMS Releases FAQs on Medicaid RACs
The new questions include:
1. If an eligible provider practices at an outpatient location that has not implemented all the functionalities necessary for the EP to meet meaningful use, is that location considered equipped with certified electronic health records technology? Must that location be included in the EP's meaningful use calculations? Does it matter if the location possesses ambulatory certified EHR technology covering the relevant meaningful use objectives, but does not implement them?
2. If an eligible provider practices at an outpatient location, a location other than an inpatient (place of service 21) or emergency department (place of service 23), and that location is only equipped with certified electronic health records technology certified to the criteria applicable to an inpatient setting, must the EP include that location in their meaningful use calculations?
3. When combining meaningful use data from multiple locations equipped with certified electronic health records technology, is it required to have a full meaningful use report from each location, or is it acceptable to only collect denominator information from one or more locations?
CMS has also updated the following three questions:
1. How and when will incentive payments for the Medicare electronic health record
incentive programs be made?
2. If multiple eligible professionals or eligible hospitals contribute information to a shared portal or to a patient's online personal health record, how is it counted for meaningful use when the patient accesses the information on the portal or PHR?
3. If I participated in the Medicaid electronic health records incentive program last year, am I required to participate in the following year?
More Articles on CMS:
CMS: Hospital Readmissions Down to 17.8%CMS Touts Lower Healthcare Spending, Readmissions Under PPACA
CMS Releases FAQs on Medicaid RACs