How the Proposed New Timeline for the EHR Incentive Programs Affects You
The following is correspondence from the CMS email list service.
Last week, CMS and ONC announced the intent to change the Stage 3 timeline and extend Stage 2 of meaningful use through 2016.
Important to note about the proposed timeline
- It does not delay the start of Stage 2 of meaningful use.
- It does not affect the current reporting periods and deadlines for 2014 participation.
What this Means for You
If you begin participation with your first year of Stage 1 for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program in 2014:
- You must begin your 90 days of Stage 1 of meaningful use no later than July 1, 2014 and submit attestation by October 1, 2014 in order to avoid the 2015 payment adjustment.
If you have completed 1 year of Stage 1 of meaningful use:
- You will demonstrate a second year of Stage 1 of meaningful use in 2014 for a three-month reporting period fixed to the quarter for Medicare or any 90 days for Medicaid.
- You will demonstrate Stage 2 of meaningful use for two years (2015 and 2016).
- You will begin Stage 3 of meaningful use in 2017.
If you have completed two or more years of Stage 1 of meaningful use:
- You will still demonstrate Stage 2 of meaningful use in 2014 for a three-month reporting period fixed to the quarter for Medicare or any 90 days for Medicaid.
- You will demonstrate Stage 2 of meaningful use for three years (2014, 2015 and 2016).
- You will begin Stage 3 of meaningful use in 2017.
Please be sure to look for additional guidance in the Federal Register for rulemaking on this proposal.