Summary
If you ask a doctor what is most important to them concerning the ARRA stimulus money, most of them will tell you “meaningful use.” Multiple iterations of what this means have been issued, reviewed and regurgitated, but what does this mean to the recipient of the ARRA funds?  This IT guy does not believe the doctor or health care provider should worry too much unless you already have an EHR implemented.

Transfer of Responsibility
More than likely, if a health care provider is using a CCHIT certified EHR system, they will be in compliance with meaningful use. Most of the requirements that have come out of the definition will be part of the development and implementation of the EHR. Simply implementing and using the appropriate EHR will qualify a provider for stimulus funds.

ONC Definition

Most recently, the ONC recommended a definition of meaningful use that includes seven different electronic exchanges to be required. It is important to note that this is only for the 2011 requirements. Going forward, there will be additional capabilities and exchanges required.

1. ePrescribing
2. Lab Results
3. Clinical Data Summaries from provider to provider
4. Bio-surveillance
5. Immunization Registries
6. Public Health
7. Quality Measurement

What does it all mean?
If you are health care provider waiting for ARRA stimulus funds, it means wait to buy your EHR. Most large companies will be updating their software to fit government requirements, but there is no guarantee the upgrade process will be any less painful than the initial implementation. Start looking at an EHR now and find out which one fits your needs best, but since funding will not be available until 2011, there is still some time.

One of the more confusing requirements for stimulus funding under the HITECH Act is the definition of “meaningful use.”  The goal of this requirement is to encourage not inly implementation of an EHR, but utilization as well.  Understanding how meaningful use is defined is important when determining your stimulus incentives for implementation of an EHR system.  This is the first in a series of many documents to begin helping the physician understand “meaningful use” requirements and insuring stimulus funds will not be denied.

As of today, meaningful use is still very broadly defined and has a ways to go before a clear understanding emerges.  The initial broad scope requirements outlined in the HITECH Act have undergone a 1st iteration by the Health IT Policy Committee and this iteration is simply a recommendation of the definition for meaningful use.  On July 16, 2009, a second iteration will be released before CMS begins work on the final requirements for compliance with meaningful use.

It is important to not disregard initial iterations of the meaningful use definition.  The 2011 deadline to have an EHR system in place and demonstrating meaningful use is just around the corner.  Implementation and training will likely need to occur before the start of 2011 to qualify for the first incentive payments available to health care providers.  Most likely a certain % of patients will be

Look for a breakdown of the 2nd iteration of the meaningful use definition on this site after the July 16th release date and expect a final publication by CMS before the end of September 2009.

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