Meaningful Use

Are you ready to prove meaningful use?

Important Facts for the eligible professional on the ARRA Incentive Program

January 2011 marked the beginning of Registration for the ARRA EHR incentive program. MedSym has completed testing for ONC-ATCB certification. To help make sure you are ready to access ARRA EHR incentive program payments, we have provided some general resources below.

To determine whether you qualify under the Medicare or Medicaid incentive program, please view the flowchart on the CMS website.

Incentive payment schedules by first qualifying year:

Medicare: http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/35_Basics.asp#BOOKMARK2

Medicaid: http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/35_Basics.asp#BOOKMARK4

Register for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs

Please view the following link on the CMS website:

http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/20_RegistrationandAttestation.asp

Frequent Questions and Answer Links

Who is Responsible:

Who is responsible for demonstrating meaningful use of certified EHR technology, the provider or the vendor?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/9967/

Payments:

How and when will incentive payments for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program be made?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10160/

After successfully demonstrating meaningful use for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, will incentive payments be paid as a lump sum or in multiple installments?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10161/

When will the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) begin to pay Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentives to eligible professionals (EPs) for the demonstration of meaningful use of certified EHR technology?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/9807/

Can I receive the maximum allowable electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments if they total more than the purchase cost of my EHR system?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10091/

What if my electronic health record (EHR) system costs much more than the incentive the government will pay? May I request additional funds?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/9812/

Meaningful Use:

What is meaningful use, and how does it apply to the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10084/

Registration:

In a group practice, will each provider need to demonstrate meaningful use in order to get Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments or can meaningful use be calculated or averaged at the group level?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10076/
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10141/

Do I need to have an electronic health record (EHR) system in order to register for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10083/

When can I register and where do I register for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10081/

Do providers register only once for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, or must they register every year?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10140/

How will eligible professionals (EPs) apply for incentives under the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/9814/

EHR Certification:

How do I know if my electronic health record (EHR) system is certified? How can I get my EHR system certified?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10094/

Reporting:

What is the reporting period for eligible professionals (EPs) participating in the electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/9961/

Must providers have their electronic health record (EHR) technology certified prior to beginning the EHR reporting period in order to demonstrate Meaningful Use under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10157/

If a provider must demonstrate MU of certified EHR technology for a 90-day period in their 1st year, what is required in subsequent years?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10112/

Attestation:

When can eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) begin to attest to meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology for the purposes of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program?
http://questions.cms.hhs.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/10147/