Did you know that beginning the year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are requiring all Promoting Interoperability Programs (e.g., MIPS) participants to use 2015 Edition certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) to avoid a downward Medicare payment adjustment?
CMS said they believe these "up-to-date" standards and functions of 2015 Edition CEHRT will better support the interoperable exchange of health information and improve clinical workflows.
What are the 2019 CEHRT Requirements?
- The 2015 Edition CEHRT did not need to be in place by January 1, 2019, but must be used for the entire EHR reporting period of any continuous, self-selected 90-day period.
- The 2015 Edition CEHRT functionality must be in place by the first day of the EHR reporting period and the product must be certified to the 2015 Edition criteria by the last day of the EHR reporting period.
Attestation Statements
In addition to using the 2015 Edition CEHRT, participants must attest to certain statements to demonstrate that they have not knowingly and willfully taken action to limit or restrict the compatibility or interoperability of their CEHRT. These statements are referred to as the "prevention of information blocking attestation.
HCP Recommendations
If you are still using 2014 CEHRT contact your vendor immediately to determine if they will be 2015 CEHRT ready. If for some reason your EHR vendor is still unable to offer 2015 Edition CEHRT for the 2019 EHR reporting period, you can apply for a hardship exception to avoid a payment adjustment.
Have additional questions about Promoting Interoperability requirements for 2019? Feel free to contact our support team by email: support@hcp.md and we will be happy to provide an answer.