This eBook explains what the Final Rule means for you, and goes through a couple of scenarios you might find yourself facing. And for those getting started with either Stage 1 or Stage 2 of the Meaningful Use Program, we’ll go through the steps you’ll need to take to complete each stage and how to avoid penalties. We’ll also leave you with a bunch of official resources from the CMS so you can get registered and begin!

1. Understanding
The Final Rule
and
Meaningful Use Changes
for 2014 & 2015

2. Understanding The Final Rule and Meaningful Use Changes
Introduction
What is the Final Rule?
How Does Meaningful Use Affect Me?
How Do I Avoid Penalties?
Avoid 2015 Penalties
Avoid 2016 Penalties
How Do I Get Started with Meaningful Use?
2013 and 2014 Stage 1 Core Objectives
2013 and 2014 Stage 1 Menu Objectives
Stage 2 Core Objectives
Stage 2 Menu Objectives
Clinical Quality Measures
Conclusion
3
4
6
8
8
10
11
12
14
15
16
17
19
Table of Contents
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3. 2014 has proven to be quite an eventful year in the world of Meaningful Use. At the start of 2014, EHR
vendors were required to undergo new certification processes so that doctors can meet 2014 Meaningful
Use requirements. As many EHR vendors struggled to achieve certification, doctors were also having trouble
implementing a 2014 system.
In response to these challenges, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced “the Final
Rule”, which gave doctors the option to use their 2011 systems to participate in Meaningful Use this year. While it
introduced some flexibility to doctors who want to participate in the program, it also added more confusion for
many. On top of that, 2014 is also the last year for doctors to participate in the program to receive incentives and
avoid penalties.
So, you’re probably wondering what options you have if you haven’t
participated in the program and if the Final Rule can help you. It can be hard to
keep up with all the rules and regulations, so leave it to us to explain it all in this
eBook!
We’ll explain what the Final Rule means for you, and go through a couple of
scenarios you might find yourself facing. And for those getting started with
either Stage 1 or Stage 2, we’ll go through the steps you’ll need to take to
complete each stage and how to avoid penalties. We’ll also leave you with a
bunch of official resources from the CMS so you can get registered and begin!
Understanding The Final Rule and Meaningful Use Changes
Introductionn
3

4. In September, the CMS released a Final Rule that brought a couple of changes to the Meaningful Use
Program. In a nutshell, the final ruling grants flexibility to providers who are unable to implement a 2014
Edition EHR in 2014, and pushes the start of Stage 3 to 2017, at the earliest.
Before the Final Rule, if you wanted to participate in Meaningful Use in
2014, you had to participate with a 2014 certified system and attest to
2014 objectives, regardless of the stage you are in.
With the Final Rule, if were unable to implement a 2014 certified EHR
this year, and would like to begin participation, you now have the
flexibility to use your 2011 certified system, but only to attest to 2013
Stage 1 objectives. Or, if you have a system that is both 2011 and 2014
certified, you have the choice to either attest to 2013 Stage 1 or 2014
Stage 1 objectives.
If you have already implemented a 2014 certified system, you will only
be able to attest to 2014 objectives and measures.
Meaningful Use Recap
Attestation is the legal statement that shows
that you have met all of the requirements of the
Meaningful Use Program.
During the attestation process, you will answer
yes/no questions and report the percentages
met on the core objectives, menu objectives,
and clinical quality measures.
The Final Rule 2014
Note that you cannot simply attest using your
2011 certified system just because you didn’t
want to upgrade your system.
Valid reasons for being unable to implement a
2014 certified EHR include your EHR vendor not
having a 2014 product, or them releasing the
product without enough time to train and use.
Understanding The Final Rule and Meaningful Use Changes
Whatt iss thee FiFinall Rulee?
?
4

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