News: CMS prepares for release of additional EHR incentive rules
Stage 1 of the EHR Incentive Programs focuses on capturing and sharing data and Stage 2 focuses on advanced clinical processes, according to the CMS website. Stage 3 will focus on improving healthcare outcomes and further advancing interoperability.
In January, CMS sent the Stage 3 Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to the Office of Management and Budget, which is the final stop for proposed rules that must be federally reviewed prior to their release. CMS representatives are scheduled to speak about Stage 3 of the EHR Incentive Programs at the HIMSS Annual Conference and Exhibition in Chicago next month, fueling speculation that the Stage 3 proposed rule may be available in time for the conference.
CDI professionals are frequently tapped to help assist physicians with the transition to EHR systems and are often critical to ensure that appropriate problem list and drop-down menu methodology gets incorporated into the hospital EHR programs. ACDIS released a Position Paper: Electronic health records and the role of the CDI specialist outlining the roles and responsibilities of CDI specialists in EHR rollout and maintenance in October 2013. It states that “EHRs bring with them potential problems and compliance risks, many of which are only just emerging and some documentation shortfalls and deficiencies [which] are suitable for CDI intervention.”
CDI specialists should stay abreast of new rules to help ensure physician documentation within the EHR is capable of complying with the requirements.