Medical organizations that do work with Medicaid and Medicare are eligible for significant discounts when they comply with the U.S. Government’s meaningful use criteria. “Meaningful use” involves using certified electronic health record software in a meaningful way to save time and work more efficiently while also protecting sensitive patient data.
The goal of meaningful use is to have providers use EHR applications in a way that positively impacts patient care. Because using EHR software in a productive fashion helps not only medical organizations but also the government save time and effort, the government provides financial incentives to encourage its use.
In the first stage, medical organizations worked under a timeline to demonstrate meaningful use where they would demonstrate that they are using the software to both capture and share data.
In Stage 2, more advanced clinical processes are involved. In order to continue participating in the EHR Meaningful Use incentive program, all providers that have met the objectives of Stage 1 for at least two years will have to begin meeting Stage 2 criteria in 2014.
Main Aspects of Stage 2 Meaningful Use for EHR Software
Providers will use a computerized provider order entry or CPOE to handle medication, radiology and laboratory orders.
Providers will create and electronically transmit permissible prescriptions with eRx. When generating electronic prescriptions, more than 50 percent of them must be compared to one or more drug formularies. You must use certified EHR software, such as that provided by the experts at Advanced Data Systems Company.
An important goal of Stage 2 is improving patient health care by helping medical professionals make better decisions in the clinical setting, coordinate care more efficiently and engage their patients.
Stage 2 is designed to save money throughout the health care system, as well as save time and lives.
The government will require providers to demonstrate Stage 2 Meaningful Use for a 90-day period in 2014, because everyone will have to either upgrade or begin using the latest certified EHR software. Your organization is allowed to select any 90-day period for reporting, and you must attest to your reporting periods by February 28, 2015.
There are 17 core objectives for Stage 2 of Meaningful Use, including a requirement to record and chart vital signs changes, note the smoking status of all patients aged 13 years and up, and provide patients with clinical summaries every time they visit the doctor’s office.
In addition, there are six men objectives for eligible professionals for Stage 2, including recording electronic notes in the patient’s record, recording family health histories and reporting cancer incidents to a centralized public health cancer registry.
Benefits of Using EHR Software for Stage 2 Meaningful Use
Providers who demonstrate Stage 2 meaningful use will see an improvement in their organization’s bottom line because of the discounts they stand to receive from Medicare and Medicaid.
They will also save money because using the software increases efficiency, cutting down on errors and helping the staff process patients more quickly.
Key Takeaways
- Medical organizations using certified Stage 2 Meaningful Use EHR software are eligible to receive discounts.
- Complying with Stage 2 Meaningful Use criteria will ensure that your organization is functioning more efficiently.
- Your patients and their families will be more engaged as they interact with the
- You will need to upgrade your existing EHR software to ensure compliance with Stage 2 of Meaningful Use in 2014.
- Failure to comply with Stage 2 Meaningful Use in your practice basically amounts to receiving a financial penalty, as you will miss out on any financial incentives provided by Medicare and Medicaid for participation in the program.
