Health IT Feedback Form

Request for NACCHO Member Input on "Meaningful Use" of Electronic Health Records Now Closed

NACCHO thanks its members for helping submit comments to the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) about the meaningful use of electronic health record (EHR) technology.

The CMS EHR incentive program will provide payments to eligible professionals (EPs) and eligible hospitals participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs that adopt and meaningfully use certified EHR technology, which may include some local health departments (LHDs).

Congress specified three types of requirements for meaningful use:

1. Use of certified EHR technology in a meaningful manner (for example, electronic prescribing);
2. That the certified EHR technology is connected in a manner that provides for the electronic exchange of health information to improve the quality of care; and
3. That in using certified EHR technology, the provider submits to the Secretary information on clinical quality measures and such other measures selected by the Secretary.

Your LHD will be affected by all three elements in this program, even if you do not provide comprehensive primary care. For example, EPs and hospitals will be required to develop the capability to electronically exchange (send and receive) data with public health.

NACCHO's submitted recommendations on meaningful use to CMS.