EHR Meaningful Use: Industry Insights from McKesson

The HITECH provisions of the ARRA legislation will reward hospitals and physician practices for implementing a certified EHR (electronic health record) solution. But you have to prove healthcare information technology (HIT) is making a difference. It's all about meaningful use.

The bar for demonstrating meaningful use will rise over time. The phased approach is focused on:

• 2011 - Capturing and sharing data
• 2013 - Advancing care processes with decision support
• 2015 - Improving outcomes

The final EHR meaningful use rules for stage 1 include the following two categories of requirements:

Stage 1 reporting for eligible providers began January 1, 2011. Access CMS’ EHR Incentive website for an update on incentive payments.

View our Meaningful Use brochure for more detailed information.

On February 24, CMS and the ONC released Meaningful Use Stage 2 Proposed Rule and Standards and Certification Criteria for EHRs. The proposed rules establish the requirements for the next stage of EHR meaningful use for the EHR Incentive Programs. Meaningful Use Stage 2 begins January 2014 for eligible providers.

The major themes of the Stage 2 proposed rules emphasize health information exchange, quality measurement and patient engagement. We have been evaluating the proposed rules; there are several characteristics of the Stage 2 objectives that you may want to note:

• Stage 1 Menu objectives go to Core for Stage 2, with increased values.
• A few Stage 1 objectives were clarified or changed.
• New objectives added mainly target the exchange of patient data.
• Payment adjustments are made for early attestation (to avoid penalties).

View Submitted Comments on Stage 2 Proposed Rule
The public comment period of 60 days closed on May 7, 2012. McKesson gathered a team of experts from across the company to interpret and review the Stage 2 proposed rules in detail, and submitted comments to CMS and ONC on May 7.

• A high-level summary of our comments
• McKesson's letter with detailed comments submitted to CMS
• McKesson's letter and detailed comments submitted to the ONC

You may also want to review comments submitted by HIMSS and CHIME.

View a past webinar to better understand the Meaningful Use Stage 2 Proposed Rule.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an extension of the enforcement discretionary period for the HIPAA 5010 transaction standards to June 30, 2012. In the announcement, CMS acknowledged a number of outstanding issues and challenges that led to the extension. CMS encourage covered entities to use the extra 90 days to complete outstanding implementation activities including software installation, testing and training. The ICD-10 standards have also been delayed to an unspecified date.

McKesson’s ANSI 5010 enabled practice management solutions will provide the numerous missing fields that may be required to generate a 5010-compliant claim. Many of these fields are patient-specific, such as the patient’s nine-digit ZIP Code. Not having this information on the claim or having inaccurate information could lead to claim rejections.

“In order to avoid cash flow disruption associated with the transition to the 5010 standard, it is critical for physician practices to convert their administrative systems and test their readiness well in advance of the compliance date,” added MGMA President and CEO William F. Jessee, M.D.

Ronald B. Sterling, CPA, of Sterling Solutions, Ltd., agrees, pointing out two patient-specific data elements that could cause major issues: “If we don’t have the nine-digit ZIP Code or the release of information recorded properly in the practice management system, we may very well see our claims either be rejected by our billing software or by the clearinghouse itself.”

View our ANSI 5010 Informational Guide.

Access our ANSI 5010/ICD-10 Webinar for more information.

Due to the importance of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the government has funded $634 million to non-profit organizations nationwide to establish Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers (RECs). These RECs are designed to assist primary care providers in adopting and becoming meaningful users of EHRs to receive federal incentives. The individual REC organizations have created partnerships with various EHR vendors.

McKesson Physician Practice Solutions has working relationships with RECs in the following locations: Alabama, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Wisconsin and Wyoming (as of December 2011).

Contact McKesson Physician Practice Solutions or the RECs within the above mentioned states to learn of the meaningful use assistance programs available in your area.

View a press release on our REC relationships

Establishing a patient-centered medical home

The patient-centered medical home (PCMH) model is designed to improve healthcare in America by transforming how primary care is organized and how care is delivered. PCMH practices are admired for their exceptional focus on delivering improved patient care. Often viewed as best in class, PCMH practices are being awarded financially by payers and incentivized to maintain the same high-level of care. The PCMH model is closely tied to the framework of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and is being incorporated in the creation of ACOs. 

White Paper: Best Practices - Patient-Centered Medical Home

Imagine your practice as a true PCMH:

• Improve patient care by putting an empowered patient relationship at the center of your practices. Share and access information efficiently and electronically.

• Communicate effectively.

• Move from reactive to proactive.

• Motivate and retain staff and providers. Create a happier and more productive work environment.

• Become more profitable.

• Enjoy a better work-life balance and the satisfying feeling of making a difference in people's lives.