On Monday, the Health IT Policy Committee's privacy and security "Tiger Team" reviewed its draft recommendations on the proposed rules for Stage 2 of the meaningful use program, Modern Healthcare reports (Conn, Modern Healthcare, 4/24).
Background
Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.
In February, CMS released a proposed rule outlining requirements for hospitals and health care providers seeking to attest to Stage 2 of the meaningful use program. The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT also released a proposed rule outlining standards and criteria for the certification of EHRs under Stage 2 of the meaningful use program (iHealthBeat, 4/10).
Tiger Team Meeting
During the meeting, the work group noted that some of the Policy Committee's previous recommendations were not included in the Stage 2 proposed rules.
For example, the Policy Committee previously recommended that the Stage 2 proposed rule have "at least single-factor authentication for patients" who view, download or transmit their health data through an electronic portal. However, ONC's Stage 2 proposed rule includes an authentication requirement only for secure messaging, not for patient access, the Tiger Team noted.
According to the Tiger Team, the Policy Committee also recommended that EHRs be certified to ensure that patients or a third party can download information securely with the patient's permission.
Also during the meeting, the Tiger Team said the Stage 2 proposed rules should require certified EHR systems to have the ability to attach patient information in free-text and scanned formats.
Next Steps
The Tiger Team is expected to present its recommendations to the full Health IT Policy Committee on May 2 (Modern Healthcare, 4/24).