ehr incentives (“meaningful use”) for eligible professionals (eps): first year, stage 1 ivy baer...
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EHR INCENTIVES (“MEANINGFUL USE”) for Eligible Professionals (EPs): First Year, Stage 1
Ivy BaerDirector and Regulatory CounselHealth Care [email protected]
1. What you can do before you qualify for meaningful use:
a. Get a National Provider Identifier (NPI)
b. Enroll in PECOS - Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (required for Medicare incentive, not required for Medicaid)
c. Register: Medicare registration will be available on CMS website
around January 1, 2011; availability of Medicaid registration will vary by state
Each Eligible Provider (EP) must be registered individually; currently it is not possible to register a group (CMS FAQ #10141)*
EHR Incentives
2. Regardless of who paid for the EHR, the incentive payment is paid to the EP. The EP can reassign the incentive to one employer or entity (42 CFR §495(f))
3. In a group practice, each EP must qualify individually (CMS FAQ #10076)
4. Your EHR technology must be certified during the entire 90 day period during which you attest that you have met meaningful use, so it is recommended that you not begin your 90 days until your EHR is certified.
EHR Incentives
You have a certified EHR, you’ve selected your continuous 90 days for demonstrating meaningful use, you
have met the meaningful use core and menu set and the quality
requirements…now what?
EHR Incentives
1. April 2011 is the earliest date to attest to Medicare meaningful use. Medicaid programs will vary by state.
2. Estimate on payment dates for 2011:
a. Medicare - will start May 2011
b. Medicaid - the timing will depend on each state (CMS FAQ #9807)
3. Payment will begin about 4-6 week after an EP successfully attests to meeting meaningful use. (CMS FAQ 10160)
a. Payments to Medicare providers will be made to the Tax Identification Number (TIN) selected at the time of registration and will be through the same channels to which claims payments are made
b. Form of payment will be the same as claims payment
c. Incentive payments will begin in May 2011, but payments for EPs will be held until the EP meets the $24,000 threshold in allowed charges
d. For EPs whose allowed charges do not reach $24,000, the (proportional) incentive will be paid in the following year (75 Fed. Reg. 44465, July 28, 2010)
EHR Incentives