The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) debuted a Website today offering information on how it will administer the meaningful use program, under which providers will qualify for Medicare and Medicaid bonuses for using electronic health record systems to improve healthcare services.
The Web site offers healthcare providers what they need to know to participate in the programs, which get into full swing in the fall.
Among its features, the site presents on overview of the program, information about what providers are eligible, how to register for the program and what providers should do now to prepare for meaningful use.
CMS also plans to publicize EHR training and events around the incentive program on the site, the agency said in an announcement June 21. For instance, providers can find information about CMS's Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS), a Web-based enrollment system, to verify that they qualify to receive incentive payments from Medicare.
CMS is expected to release shortly its final rule on the definition of meaningful use and a description of the requirements providers must meet to be eligible for incentive payments in 2011. The agency published its proposed meaningful use rule in January.
Last week, the Office of the National Coordinator released its final rule for setting up a temporary certification program for organizations that want to become testers and certifiers of EHRs. ONC said it expects vendors to have certified EHRs available in the fall.
