CMS Proposes One Year Extension of Meaningful Use Stage 2

On December 6, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) changed its position on the timeline for implementing the Meaningful Use electronic health record incentive program. CMS is now proposing an extension of Stage 2 compliance through 2016 and further to begin Stage 3 in 2017 for all providers that have completed at least two years participating in Stage 2.

According to the Director of CMS’ Office of eStandards and Services, the goals of the extension are to focus efforts on enhanced patient engagement, interoperability and health information exchange in Stage 2 and to utilize the data from Stage 2 to “inform policy decisions” for Stage 3.

CMS notes that the extended timeline would have several benefits, including: 

• Greater analysis of feedback from stakeholders on Stage 2 progress and outcomes.
• More available data on Stage 2 adoption and measurement of calculations.
• Further consideration of potential Stage 3 requirements.
• Additional time for preparation for enhanced Stage 3 requirements.
• Ample time for developers to create and distribute certified EHR technology before Stage 3 begins, and incorporate lessons learned about  usability and customization. 

 
CMS plans to release the proposed rule for Stage 3 in the fall of 2014, and the final Stage 3 rule in the first half of 2015. At the same time, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology proposed a “more regular approach” to updating the certification regulations that calls for publishing a voluntary 2015 edition of certification criteria, updating the requirements more frequently, and spreading them out over a longer time period. The proposed rule for the 2017 Edition of the ONC Standards and Certification criteria will also be released in the fall of 2014.