Source: http://www.himss.org/EconomicStimulus/
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), includes billions of dollars in Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments to providers and hospitals for the “Meaningful Use” of certified health IT products. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Meaningful Use that identifies the criteria for becoming a meaningful user of health IT. Both programs have start dates of October 2010 for hospitals and January 2011 for eligible provider (EP) categories.
The ARRA also requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish certification criteria and standards for achieving meaningful use by December 31, 2009. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of the National Coordinator has released an Interim Final Rule on the Certification Criteria and Standards for public comment, which will be used to support Meaningful Use for the start of the Incentive payment programs in 2011. In its role as the leading authority on the appropriate implementation and use of Health IT, HIMSS is developing multiple resources to equip our members to prepare for the Meaningful Use and Certification Criteria and Standards regulations. Utilize these tools to ensure you are prepared to become Meaningful Users.
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