The Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services ("CMS"), released a proposed rule on May 5 establishing new and
revising current requirements of Medicare and Medicaid Promoting
Interoperability for eligible hospitals and critical access
hospitals ("CAHs"). The Promoting Interoperability
Programs were established in 2011 as a way to encourage eligible
hospitals and CAHs, as well as eligible professionals, to use
certified electronic health records technology
("CEHRT").
The proposed rule is designed to increase stability, reduce the
burden on eligible hospitals and CAHs, and clarify certain existing
policies. Proposed changes include (i) eliminating the requirement
that, for the fiscal year 2020 payment adjustment year, an
eligible hospital must successfully register for and attest to
meaningful use of CEHRT no later than October 1, 2019 if it had
not, in the prior year, demonstrated meaningful use of CEHRT, and
(ii) making
