CMS Gives New Meaningful Use Flexibility

CMS is proposing, for 2014 only, that EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAHs would be able to use either 2011 Edition, 2014 Edition or a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition certified Complete EHRs and EHR Modules to meet the CEHRT definition and to demonstrate meaningful use during 2014.

To support the CMS proposals to provide added flexibility in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs during 2014, ONC is proposing to make a minor, but necessary, corresponding revision to the CEHRT definition specified at 45 CFR 170.102, to change certain FY/CY cutoffs in paragraphs (1) and (2) of the CEHRT definition. These FY/CY cutoffs were finalized in ONC's 2014 Edition final rule (77 FR 54257 through 54260).

CMS-0052-P
With respect to our proposal to allow the flexibility to use 2011 Edition Certified EHR Technology, a combination of 2011 Edition and 2014 Edition Certified EHR Technology, or solely 2014 Edition Certified EHR Technology in 2014, we do not believe that this proposal will have a significant impact as it merely gives providers the flexibility to choose to retain and use their 2011 Edition CEHRT, a combination of 2011 and 2014 Edition CEHRT, or 2014 Edition CEHRT in 2014. We are making this proposal in response to concerns that the availability of 2014 Edition CEHRT is quite limited.

The proposed rule, available for viewing now and being published on May 23, is here.