2017 Program Requirements

CMS is renaming the EHR Incentive Programs to the Promoting Interoperability (PI) Programs to continue the agency’s focus on improving patients’ access to health information and reducing the time and cost required of providers to comply with the programs’ requirements. CMS is also in the process of finalizing updates to the programs through rulemaking. For more information, visit the landing page where CMS will publish updates and additional resources as soon as they are available.

Medicaid EHR Incentive Program

Eligible hospitals and EPs that attest directly to a state for the state’s Medicaid EHR Incentive Program will continue to attest to the measures and objectives as finalized in the 2015 EHR Incentive Programs Final Rule (80 FR 62762 through 62955).

To access the 2017 Modified Stage 2 program requirements specific to eligible hospitals and EPs attesting to their state’s Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, click here.

To access the Stage 3 program requirements specific to eligible hospitals and EPs attesting to their state’s Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, click here.

2017 OPPS/ASC Final Rule with comment period
Medicare eligible hospitals and CAHs and dual-eligible hospitals who attest to CMS

On November 14, 2016, CMS published the 2017 OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period, which impacts the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs through revisions to the objectives and measures for eligible hospitals, CAHs and dual-eligible hospitals who attest to CMS as well as the 2016 and 2017 EHR reporting period and reporting requirements. The changes increase flexibility, lower the reporting burden for providers, and focus on the exchange of health information and using technology to support patient care.

To access the 2017 Modified Stage 2 program requirements and information finalized in the OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period specific to eligible hospitals, CAHs and dual-eligible hospitals click here.

To access the Stage 3 program requirements and information finalized in the OPPS/ASC final rule with comment period specific to eligible hospitals, CAHs and dual-eligible hospitals click here.

Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA)

On November 4, 2016, CMS published the Medicare Program; Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive under the Physician Fee Schedule, and Criteria for Physician-Focused Payment Models final rule with comment period (CMS-5517-FC) which establishes the MIPS, a new program for certain Medicare-enrolled practitioners. MIPS consolidates components of three existing programs, the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS), the Physician Value-based Payment Modifier (VM), and the Medicare EHR Incentive Program for EPs, and focuses on quality--both a set of evidence-based, specialty-specific standards as well as practice based improvement activities; cost; and use of CEHRT to support interoperability and advanced quality objectives in a single, cohesive program that avoids redundancies.

Medicare Attestation Worksheets for 2017

The Medicare Attestation Worksheets allow providers to log their meaningful use measures on a document to use as a reference when attesting for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program in CMS’ Registration and Attestation system. Access the 2017 Eligible Hospital, CAH and Dual-Eligible Modified Stage 2 Attestation Worksheet here (PDF) and Eligible Hospital, CAH and Dual-Eligible Stage 3 Attestation Worksheet here (PDF).

NOTE: Medicare EP’s will attest to the Advancing Care Information performance category under MIPs.

To access the Quality Payment Program and requirements for Medicare eligible clinicians visit the official website.