CMS to delay meaningful use implementation

CMS announced Friday that it will extend the federal programs to encourage hospitals and physicians to adopt electronic health records — with Stage 2 now starting in 2015 and continuing through 2016, and Stage 3 beginning in 2017 for providers that have completed two or more years at that lower level.

The programs specify standards for the "meaningful use" of electronic health records. Providers that meet them receive incentive payments.

In a blog post, Robert Tagalicod, director of the CMS Office of E-Health Standards and Services, and Jacob Reider, acting national coordinator for Health Information Technology, explained the decision. "The goal of this change is two-fold: first, to allow CMS and ONC to focus efforts on the successful implementation of the enhanced patient engagement, interoperability and health information exchange requirements in Stage 2; and second, to utilize data from Stage 2 participation to inform policy decisions for Stage 3," they wrote.

Providers had been lobbying for an extension, saying the original timeline was too tight.

CMS expects to issue a proposed rule for Stage 3 in fall 2014 and to outline details of the new timeline. The final rule would follow in the first half of 2015.

The post announcing the proposed change notes that between 2009 and 2012, EHR use doubled among physicians and more than tripled in hospitals.