Clinical quality measures (CQMs) are no longer a core objective of Meaningful Use in 2014; however, eligible providers are still required to report on CQMs in order to demonstrate Meaningful Use.
Several Stage 1 measure revisions take effect beginning in 2014, including changes to computerized provider order entry, online access, and health information exchange testing.
Stage 2 Changes Taking Effect in 2014
Stage 2 of the EHR Incentive Program builds upon Stage 1 requirements by increasing thresholds for certain measures and introducing new technologies geared specifically toward increased electronic communication with patients on relevant health information. The expectation for Stage 2 is that providers who achieve Stage 1 will be able to demonstrate meaningful use of CEHRT for an even greater portion of their patient populations.
In Stage 2, CMS maintains the same core-menu structure for the program. Eligible providers must meet the measure or qualify for exclusion to 17 core objectives and three out of six menu objectives. Nearly all of the Stage 1 core measures were retained for Stage 2. There are also multiple Stage 1 objectives that were combined into more unified Stage 2 objectives with a subsequent rise in the measure threshold that providers must achieve for each objective. Several new objectives were introduced for Stage 2, and most of these were introduced as menu objectives for Stage 2.
In addition to core and menu measures, eligible professionals are required to report on specific CQMs in order to qualify for incentive payments and avoid payment adjustments. Eligible professionals must submit nine CQMs from at least three of the National Quality Strategy domains out of a potential list of 64 CQMs across six domains.
The Future of Meaningful Use
Stage 2 will change how providers use and share health information and will set the stage for Stage 3, which will focus on improved outcomes in quality, safety, and efficiency; clinical decision support; and patient self-management tools that support improved outcomes.
The ACR has resources available to help rheumatologists implement Meaningful Use in their practices. The implementation will call for the adoption of new processes and redefinition of roles, responsibilities, and tasks. This transformation brings the potential for substantial gains in the quality of care delivered and clinical and administrative efficiencies.
If you have any questions about Meaningful Use and ACR resources to help your practice, contact the ACR health information technology staff at [email protected].