Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use Diagnostic

Topics: Meaningful Use, Electronic Medical Records Strategy, Information Technology, Payer and Regulatory Policy, Market Trends, Strategy, Health Care Reform, Payer and Regulatory Policy, Revenue Cycle, Finance, Physician Issues, Practice Management

President Obama signed the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act into law as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The HITECH Act provides incentives for hospitals and eligible professionals (EPs) that become meaningful users of electronic health records (EHRs). In July 2010, CMS issued the final rule outlining the criteria that hospitals and eligible professionals must meet to be deemed meaningful users of EHRs and qualify for incentive payments.

The first date to start demonstrating meaningful use is set at January 1, 2011, and incentive payments to hospitals and EPs successfully meeting the requirements will begin in May 2011.

The Advisory Board Company’s IT Strategy Council has developed two diagnostics to assess meaningful use readiness: one for eligible hospitals and one for eligible professionals. Each of the two diagnostics consist of a series of questions that assess the hospital or EP’s progress in implementing or adopting each of the meaningful use requirements and expected completion dates for these efforts.

These diagnostics should be completed by executives charged with leading the hospital’s efforts or assisting physicians in meeting meaningful use requirements. Ultimately, the diagnostics provide a summary of the hospital or EP’s preparedness for meaningful use, highlighting any risks and providing guidance on meeting the remaining requirements for meaningful use.

Screenshot of the Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use Diagnostic