The rules have to be set by December 31, 2009 and are currently in the process
of being defined by Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information
Technology.
The guidelines included in the HiTech Act legislation are as follows:
2) MEANINGFUL EHR USER-
(A) IN GENERAL- For purposes of paragraph (1), an eligible professional
shall be treated as a meaningful EHR user for an EHR reporting period for a payment
year (or, for purposes of subsection (a)(7), for an EHR reporting period under such
subsection for a year) if each of the following requirements is met:
(i) MEANINGFUL USE OF CERTIFIED EHR TECHNOLOGY- The eligible professional
demonstrates to the satisfaction of the Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph
(C)(i), that during such period the professional is using certified EHR technology
in a meaningful manner, which shall include the use of electronic prescribing as
determined to be appropriate by the Secretary.
(ii) INFORMATION EXCHANGE- The eligible professional demonstrates to the
satisfaction of the Secretary, in accordance with subparagraph (C)(i), 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.
(iii) REPORTING ON MEASURES USING EHR- Subject to subparagraph (B)(ii) and
using such certified EHR technology, the eligible professional submits information
for such period, in a form and manner specified by the Secretary, on such clinical
quality measures and such other measures as selected by the Secretary under subparagraph
(B)(i).
The Secretary may provide for the use of alternative means for meeting the requirements
of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) in the case of an eligible professional furnishing
covered professional services in a group practice (as defined by the Secretary).
The Secretary shall seek to improve the use of electronic health records and health
care quality over time by requiring more stringent measures of meaningful use selected
under this paragraph.