What is meant by “meaningful use” of healthcare IT?

Funding and incentives are tied to “meaningful use”. While no one yet knows the full definition of meaningful use, preliminary descriptions include the following:

An eligible professional shall be treated as a meaningful EHR user for a reporting period for a payment year if the following requirements are met:

• Meaningful use of certified EHR technology.  The eligible professional demonstrates to the satisfaction of the HHS Secretary, that during such period the physician is using certified EHR technology in a meaningful manner.  The certified EHR shall include the use of electronic prescribing as determined to be appropriate by the HHS Secretary.
  
  
• Information exchange.  The eligible professional demonstrates to the satisfaction of the HHS Secretary that during such period such certified EHR technology is connected in a manner that provides, in accordance with law and standards applicable to the exchange of information, for the electronic exchange of health information to improve the quality of health care, such as promoting care coordination.
  
  
• Reporting of measures using EHR.  Using such certified EHR technology, the eligible professional submits information for such period, in a form and manner specified by the HHS Secretary, on such clinical quality measures and such other measures as selected by the HHS Secretary.  The HHS Secretary shall seek to improve the use of EHRs and healthcare quality over time by requiring more stringent measures of meaningful use selected under this paragraph.

In other words, qualification for incentives focuses on what is done with the EHR, not simply having an EHR.

Disclaimer: The content of this page is for general information only and does not constitute advise. ALN tries to provide content that is true and accurate as of the date of writing. TheHITECH Act is in the early stages and information is being updated and clarified daily.