Health care providers and vendors told a U.S. Senate committee about ongoing challenges in electronic health record (EHR) adoption and argued the federal government should consider delaying the next phase of the “meaningful use” programs and allow flexibility in meeting program requirements. The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs provide incentives to providers that achieve “meaningful use” of EHR and impose penalties on those that do not.

Stage 2 meaningful use is set to begin in federal fiscal year (FFY) 2014 for eligible hospitals and eligible professionals that began the program in FFY 2011 or 2012. As the deadline approaches, some provider and vendor leaders have expressed increased concern that there is insufficient time to effectively implement technology changes that are necessary to meet the requirements for Stage 2 in a manner that is safe and appropriate.

In his testimony before the Senate Finance Committee, Siemens Healthcare Chief Executive Officer John Glaser, Ph.D., recommended extending the Stage 2 deadline until October 1, 2015 and adding a third year for any given stage to give organizations time to implement upgrades and adjust to changes. Currently, a provider can remain only two years at a stage before moving to the next.

Marty Fattig, Administrator and Chief Executive Officer of Nemaha County Hospital in Nebraska, argued for allowing an additional year at Stage 1 meaningful use in addition to Stage 2, pointing to the “digital divide” that creates obstacles for rural hospitals seeking efficient help from vendors. Dr. Colin Banas, M.D., Chief Medical Information Officer and Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, said slowing down the process would be prudent, highlighting that “implementations must be thoughtfully planned and executed rather than just ‘slammed in’ to ensure adoption and usability.”

In contrast, Janet Marchibroda, Health Innovation Initiative Director at the Bipartisan Policy Center, advocated for the timely implementation of the next phase of meaningful use to realize the benefits of patient engagement and information sharing required in Stage 2.

During a hearing, federal officials, including the ONC National Coordinator, Dr. Farzad Mostashari, M.D., Sc.M., indicated that the Obama Administration would be reluctant to support a delay, suggesting instead that ONC would continue outreach efforts to help rural providers comply with meaningful use. Full replays of the July 24 hearing and the July 17 hearing and witnesses’ testimony are available online.

Source: Healthcare Association of New York State