Meaningful Use

Meaningful Use Overview

This information attempts to simplify the discussion by focusing on explaining how medical practices seeing Medicare patients can qualify for the $44,000 ARRA bonus (over a 4 year period). It largely excludes Medicaid and Hospital related discussions. Some key points:

• SOAPware v2010 is on track, to be certified for "Meaningful Use." Earlier versions will not be able to be certified.
• Practices using SOAPware will be able to qualify for ARRA bonuses if they accomplish the 25 "Meaningful Use" tasks (below)
• Bonus payments are greatest for practices ready to accomplish the MU tasks by October, 2011.
• Practices should focus, now, on MU Stage 1 requirements due for 2011.
• Designate an MU officer in your practice, now, to keep up with evolving rules and requirements.

Meaningful Use Tasks

1. Order Entry for 80% of Orders
2. Med Order Checking/Alerts 
3. Problem Lists for Patient Conditions   
4. E-Prescribing for 75% of Permissible Scripts
5. Med List of Ongoing, Active Medications
6. Allergy List - for Medications
7. Demographics - for Patients
8. Vital Signs 
9. Smoking Status
10. Structured Lab Results 
11. Patients Lists by Condition
12. Report Quality Measures to CMS/states
13. Patient Reminders
14. Five Clinical Decision Support Rules
15. Insurance Eligibility    
16. Electronic Claims
17. Provide Patients Copies of Records 
18. Provide Patients Access to Records 
19. Encounter Summaries to Patients  
20. Care Summaries - Provide Information Exchange for referrals, etc.
21. Medication Resolution - Regular Updates of Active Meds
22. Immunization Registry Reporting
23. Lab Data to Public Health Surveillances
24. Surveillances Data to Public Health Agencies
25. Data Protections

Comments

• It is not likely wise to implement any EMR if there is any loss of productivity (fewer patients seen or more charting time for clinicians).
• If you have no EMR, or if your are using SOAPware v4, v5, or v2008, it is time to begin the planning for implementation of SOAPware 2010. The implementation should only be undertaken if it reduces clinician clerical-administrative-charting time/tasks.

Blog Links

"Meaningful Use" Might Become More Meaningful

February "Meaningful Use" Update

Who Notices the Difference Between the Pumpkin and the Pie?

Under Construction:

Other Links

http://geekdoctor.blogspot.com/2010/...ngful-use.html

http://geekdoctor.blogspot.com/2009/...standards.html

http://histalk2.com/2009/12/30/onchi...eaningful-use/

http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/...uirements.aspx

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news...-more-flexible

http://www.healthcareguy.com/2010/03...porarily-dead/

http://www.infor-med.com/hitech_stimulus_act.html

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?k...I1he-QmtUB5e7w

http://www.softwareadvice.com/articl...-emrs-1031209/

http://www.thehealthcareblog.com/the...ngful-use.html

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/blog...-stimulus-bill

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news...l-use-criteria

http://e-caremanagement.com/a-compen...standards-ifr/ - more-1345

http://www.fcw.com/Articles/2010/01/...h-records.aspx

http://www.emrandehr.com/tag/meaningful-use/

http://healthcarereform.nejm.org/?p=2669&query=home

http://ehr.healthcareitnews.com/blog...nc-be-flexible

http://healthcarereform.nejm.org/?p=2669&query=TOC

http://www.athenahealth.com/hitech.php

http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/...uirements.aspx

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news...-more-flexible

http://www.healthcareguy.com/2010/03/04/innovation-in-healthcare-it-is-hopefully-only-temporarily-dead/ 

http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2010/3/8/report-meaningful-use-could-curb-productivity-of-physicians.aspx 

http://www.ihealthbeat.org/articles/2010/3/8/aafp-asks-cms-for-significant-changes-to-meaningful-use-criteria.aspx  

http://www.healthcareitnews.com/news/consumers-weigh-top-10-meaningful-use-arguments?page=0,0  

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9162438/Deadline_for_e_health_rollout_may_do_more_harm_than_help