CMS has updated its frequently asked questions site on the meaningful use program, AHA News reports.
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments (AHA News, 4/28).
FAQ Details
On April 18, CMS launched the attestation period for the meaningful use program. The agency has since clarified that it will pay health care providers four to eight weeks after they attest that they have met meaningful use criteria for the Medicare program (Government Health IT, 4/29). CMS added that it will not issue payments to eligible professionals until they meet a threshold for "allowed charges" in services for beneficiaries (Health Data Management, 4/29).
In addition, CMS noted that hospitals must attest that the data they submitted for 15 clinical quality measures were generated by certified EHR systems.
The American Hospital Association had requested that CMS address the attestation requirement's language because hospitals have had technical problems generating the required clinical quality data, according to AHA News.
CMS said that the agency considers data to be accurate and complete when data exactly match the output generated from certified EHR technology (AHA News, 4/28).