Healthcare Informatics writes: In a rule released late in the afternoon on April 24, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has made clear its intention to overhaul the meaningful use program. In a press release, the federal agency said that it will be proposing to re-name the meaningful use program to “Promoting Interoperability.” CMS said the goals of the new program will be to: make it more flexible and less burdensome; emphasize measures that require the exchange of health information between providers and patients, and incentivize providers to make it easier for patients to obtain their medical records electronically. The meaningful use (Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs) program has been around since 2011 with the intent to encourage eligible providers to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR (electronic health record) technology. Seven years later, with nearly all hospitals and most physician practices having implemented a certified EHR, CMS is proposing a shakeup of the initiative with a rethinking of industry priorities.
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