HHS Defines "Meaningful Use"
The $19 billion question has been answered--sort of. Earlier today, the Department of Health and Human Services announced its preliminary definition of "meaningful use," a requirement providers must meet to earn EHR incentive payments.
Released by the Health Information Technology Policy Committee, the recommendations include a progression of goals, objectives and measures for 2011, 2013 and 2015. Criteria have been laid out in a grid according to specific policy outcome, such as reducing health disparities and engaging patients.
The preliminary definitions are the result of discussions by the Policy committee's Meaningful Use Workgroup and contributions from a hearing conducted in April by the National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics.
"The workgroup's recommendations demonstrate the breadth of meaningful use and the linkage of use to individual care and population health outcomes," said David Blumenthal, MD, MPP, national coordinator for HIT. "The Office of the National Coordinator and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recognize that achieving meaningful use will not be easy, but it is a journey we must take if we are to improve care through the use of EHRs."
The recommendations are now open to public comment. Visit healthit.hhs.gov to view the definitions and offer feedback.