Things to Know for MU 2017

December 28, 2016

Written by Patty Kosednar

There are just a few days until the New Year, and CMS has updated their website with new meaningful use resources and information for the 2017 reporting period.  Here are just the highlights for the Eligible Professional (EP) Medicaid EHR Incentive Program and the Eligible Hospital (EH) Medicaid and Medicare EHR Incentive Program (this blog does not include MIPS requirements).

For 2017 –

• Providers and hospitals can choose to report requirements for Modified Stage 2 or Stage 3 (your choice).
• You must use 2015 or a combination of 2014/2015 certified EHR technology to report to Stage 3, 2014 certified EHR for Modified Stage 2.
• The reporting period for 2017 will again be a continuous 90-day period within the 2017 calendar year.
• Medicare EPs will report MU via the MIPS program, Medicaid eligible providers will report MU via the existing Medicaid EHR Incentive Program (same as always).
• For EHs only, you may report to both programs if you are dually eligible. The MU objectives and performance requirements will be different between the Medicaid program and the Medicare program (more info on this below).
• No alternate exclusions are available.

EP Medicaid MU Program

The 2017 Modified Stage 2 requirements for EPs are the same 10 objectives and performance criteria as they were for 2016 except for the following:

• Objective 8, Measure 2, Patient Electronic Access: For an EHR reporting period in 2017, more than 5 percent of unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period (or his or her authorized representatives) view, download or transmit to a third party their health information during the EHR reporting period.
• Objective 9, Secure Messaging (EPs only): For an EHR reporting period in 2017, for more than 5 percent of unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period, a secure message was sent using the electronic messaging function of CEHRT to the patient (or the patient-authorized representative), or in response to a secure message sent by the patient (or the patient-authorized representative) during the EHR reporting period.

• CMS Medicaid EP 2017 Modified Stage 2 requirements

If you are interested in reporting to stage 3, here is a link to the requirements:  CMS Medicaid EP 2017 Stage 3 requirements.

 EP Medicare MU Program

 Medicare eligible providers will report meaningful use under the Advancing Care Information category of MIPS.

 EH Medicaid MU Program

2017 Modified Stage 2 requirements for EHs are the same 9 objectives and performance criteria as they were for 2016 except for the following:

• Objective 8, Measure 2, Patient Electronic Access: For an EHR reporting period in 2017, more than 5 percent of unique patients discharged from the inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) of an eligible hospital or CAH (or patient authorized representative) view, download or transmit to a third party their health information during the EHR reporting period.

• CMS Medicaid EH 2017 Modified Stage 2 requirements

If you are interested in reporting to Stage 3, here is a link to the requirements: CMS Medicaid EH 2017 Stage 3 requirements.

 EH Medicare (CMS) MU Program

Medicare EPs will be reporting via the MIPS program; however, Medicare or dual eligible EHs still need to report meaningful use to CMS.  For this program hospitals can still choose between reporting Modified Stage 2 or Stage 3.  The 2017 Modified Stage 2 requirements and performance criteria for the EH Medicare MU program is the same as 2016 except for:

• Removal of the Clinical Decision Support (CDS) and Computerized Provider Order Entry (CPOE) objectives and measures.
• Reduction of the threshold for View, Download or Transmit (VDT) under the Patient Electronic Access Objective to at least one unique patient (or patient-authorized representative).
• CMS Medicare EH 2017 Modified Stage 2 requirements

If you are interested in reporting to Stage 3, here is a link to the requirements:  CMS Medicare EH 2017 Stage 3 requirements.

Again, these are just the highlights. There is more detail on MU for 2017 to follow.  I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and I look forward to working with you on MU in 2017.

If you have any questions, or run into issues with any of the meaningful use objectives and would like help please use the “Leave a Reply” section below, or email Patty Kosednar directly with your questions or comments.

See all 2017 MU Blog Posts

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