Establishment of the temporary certification program for health information technology. Final rule

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Health Information Technology Policy

Background:

• The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs require certified health information technology.
• Providers need access to certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs) to qualify for incentive payments.
• A gap existed in the availability of certified EHR technology before the meaningful use attestation period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a temporary certification program for health information technology.
• To authorize organizations for testing and certifying Complete EHRs and/or EHR Modules.
• To facilitate the availability of Certified EHR Technology before the meaningful use deadline.

Main Methods:

• Establishing a temporary certification program under the authority of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology.
• Utilizing the authority granted by the Public Health Service Act (PHSA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act.
• Authorizing specific organizations to conduct testing and certification of EHR systems.

Main Results:

• A framework for temporary certification of health information technology has been established.
• Organizations are now authorized to test and certify EHRs and EHR Modules.
• Certified EHR Technology will be available to providers in advance of the meaningful use attestation period.

Conclusions:

• The temporary certification program effectively addresses the need for timely access to certified EHR technology.
• This initiative supports the successful adoption of EHRs by healthcare providers.
• The program facilitates the goals of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.