What is Meaningful Use?

Visit our updated Value-Based Reimbursement & Quality Initiatives page to get the latest information on these programs. Learn more

CMS Meaningful Use definition

Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH Act), which was enacted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act), incentive payments are available to eligible professionals (EPs) who successfully demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. The Recovery Act specifies three main components of meaningful use: The use of a certified EHR in a meaningful manner, the use of certified EHR technology for electronic exchange of health information to improve quality of health care and the use of certified EHR technology to submit clinical quality and other measures.

Meaningful Use stages

Meaningful Use is implemented in a phased approach over a series of 3 stages.

Stage 1

Promotes basic EHR adoption and data gathering

Stage 2

Emphasizes care coordination and exchange of patient information

Stage 3

Improves healthcare outcomes

CMS recently released changes to all stages of the Meaningful Use program. Visit our blog for up-to-date information on implementing Meaningful Use »

Practice Fusion is certified

CMS requires attesting providers to use, at minimum, EHR technology certified to the 2014 Edition. If it is available, attesting providers may use EHR technology certified to the 2015 Edition, or a combination of the two. Practice Fusion has received Health IT Module 2015 Edition ONC Certification for select components of our EHR Version 3.7 and our 2014 Edition Complete EHR Certification now is applicable to EHR Version 3.7, making it a combination 2014 Edition / 2015 Edition certified Health IT product. Learn more »

What are the Meaningful Use requirements?

The most up-to-date requirements can be found on the CMS website or by contacting your state Medicaid agency.

What is the reporting timeline?

During your first year of meeting Meaningful Use, you have to fulfill the criteria over a 90-day reporting period. After that, you have to demonstrate the criteria for a full calendar year.

If you’re participating in the Medicaid program, you can Adopt, Implement, or Upgrade (AIU) a certified EHR or demonstrate meaningful use of one in your first year to earn incentives. You would follow the reporting timeline starting next year.

What are the incentives and penalties?

Medicare EHR Incentive Program

Please note: The Medicare EHR Incentive Program was sunsetted by CMS on December 31, 2016. The program was replaced by the Quality Payment Program. For more information about participation in the Quality Payment Program, please visit Practice Fusion’s Quality Payment Program Center.

Medicare incentive payments are equal to 75% of your annual Medicare Part B allowed charges up to a maximum yearly amount (see chart below).

Beginning in 2015, providers who are eligible for the Medicare Meaningful Use program who don’t successfully demonstrate Meaningful Use will be penalized—starting at 1% of Medicare Part B reimbursements and increasing each year to a maximum of 5%. There will be hardship exceptions for eligible providers.

Meaningful Use payment adjustments are based on achieving Meaningful Use two years before the adjustment year—so providers starting in 2013 avoid a penalty in 2015.

Medicare Incentives

Medicaid EHR Incentive Program

If you started your participation in the Medicaid MU program in 2015, you can earn incentives through 2020. Please note that 2016 was the last year that Eligible Professionals (EPs) could enroll for participation in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. As such, enrollment is no longer open for new participants.

If you see Medicaid patients, you can earn up to $63,750 in incentive payments over the six years that you choose to participate in the program (see chart below). If you start in 2015, you can earn incentives through 2020. Please consult your state’s agency for information about a specific payment schedule.

Providers who are eligible for Meaningful Use under the Medicaid program are not subject to payment penalties, unless the provider is also eligible under the Medicare program.

Medicaid Incentives