Changes to Meaningful Use Requirements
One of the recent changes to the Stage 1 Meaningful Use requirements that many providers seem to be unaware of is the requirement for a patient portal as a core objective. Previously and through 2013, a patient portal is a menu objective and could be one of the 5 menu objectives that a provider chooses not to meet but in 2014 it will be a core objective (required) for both first year and second year of Stage 1 and also for Stage 2 Meaningful Use.
This could be a problem for providers whose EHR system has the patient portal as an add on or additional module. If your system does not automatically provide the patient portal then now would be a good time to find out how to get it.
|
2013 |
Eligible Professional |
|
Objective |
Provide patients with timely electronic access to their health information (including lab results, problem list, medication lists, and allergies) within 4 business days of the information being available to the EP. |
|
Measure |
At least 10 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP are provided timely (available to the patient within four business days of being updated in the certified EHR technology) electronic access to their health information subject to the EP’s discretion to withhold certain information. |
|
Exclusion |
Any EP that neither orders nor creates lab tests or information that would be contained in the problem list, medication list, medication allergy list (or other information as listed at 45 CFR 170.304(g)) during the EHR reporting period. |
|
2014 |
Eligible Professional |
|
Objective |
Provide patients with timely electronic access to their health information (including lab results, problem list, medication lists, and allergies) within 4 business days of the information being available to the EP. |
|
Measure |
More than 50 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period are provided timely (within 4 business days after the information is available to the EP) online access to their health information, subject to the EP’s discretion to withhold certain information. |
For more information on this and other rule changes, go to
http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/
EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/Stage1ChangesTipsheet.pdf
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