The proposed meaningful use modifications for 2015 through 2017 have prevented CMS from collecting Medicare program attestation data for the 2015 reporting periods, according to a CMS data update, EHR Intelligence reports (Murphy, EHR Intelligence, 10/6).

Background

Under the 2009 economic stimulus package, providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health records can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payment.

In April, CMS released a proposed rule that would shorten Medicare and Medicaid meaningful use attestation for eligible professionals and hospitals to a 90-day period in 2015. The Office of Management and Budget received for review the final modification rule in September (iHealthBeat, 9/2).

Attestation, Participation Update

CMS data presented at the Health IT Policy Committee's meeting on Tuesday note that "Medicare attestation for EHR reporting periods in 2015 has not been available" because of "proposed modifications for 2015."

However, available data show as of Aug. 31:

• 1,283 eligible professionals registered for the Medicare program, compared with 678 in July;
• 1,086 eligible professionals registered for the Medicaid program, compared with 880 in July; and
• 26 eligible hospitals registered for the EHR incentive programs, compared with two in July (EHR Intelligence, 10/6).

Payment Details

Meanwhile, the data show as of the end of August:

• 307,035 Medicare eligible professionals in Stage 1 had received $7.8 billion in incentive payments; and
• 57,299 Medicare eligible professionals in Stage 2 had been paid more than $366 million.

Among eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals in the Medicare program, the data show as of Aug. 31:

• 4,456 in Stage 1 had received $11.6 billion in incentive payments; and
• 1,545 in Stage 2 had been paid more than $1.1 billion (CMS data, 10/6).