CMS and ONC Issue Regulations Proposing a Definition of ‘Meaningful Use’
The Centers for Medicare & Medicare Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) encourage public comment on two regulations issued yesterday that lay a foundation for improving quality, efficiency and safety through meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. The regulations will help implement the EHR incentive programs enacted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The CMS proposed rule and fact sheets, may be viewed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Recovery/11_HealthIT.asp. ONC's interim final rule may be viewed at http://healthit.hhs.gov/standardsandcertification. In early 2010 ONC intends to issue a notice of proposed rulemaking related to the certification of health information technology. Happy New Year!