CMS finalizes Meaningful Use stage 3 and flexibility for 2015
CMS released the Stage 3 Meaningful Use (MU) final rule and finalized a 90-day reporting period for 2015 while adding other flexibility on Tuesday. NRHA has continued to engage with CMS throughout the implementation of its MU stages, urging attention to rural-specific considerations. While we are pleased with the addition of flexibility for the 2015 reporting period, this should have been announced well in advance and should provide similar flexibilities moving forward into Stage 3. Looking toward the future of electronic health records, CMS indicated in the rule that MU Stage 3 would likely be incorporated into the new Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) included as a part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) that was passed in April to replace the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). Currently, CMS has an open request for information about the MIPS program.