Stage 2 EPs Sharing Public Health Data Face Looming Deadline

Eligible professionals planning to meet a Stage 2 electronic health records meaningful use public health measure must register their intent by March 1.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued that reminder and guidance on the measure to electronically exchange information with a public health agency. Eligible professionals who do not register their intent by March to use one or more public health measures will not be able to meet the measures. Registering by March 1 does not mean an organization must be ready to comply with the measure by that date.

There are four ways to meet a public health measure:

*An ongoing submission already was achieved in a reporting period for a prior year and continues through the current reporting period.

*Registration of intent to exchange has been done and ongoing submission was achieved.

*Registration was made by the deadline and the provider remains engaged in validation and testing of ongoing electronic submission.

*Registration was made by the deadline and the provider is awaiting an invitation to begin testing and validation.

If CMS shortens the EP 2015 reporting year to 90 days, as appears likely, then March 1 would be the deadline for the first 90-day reporting period with additional 90-day periods held during 2015.

Stage 2 Eligible Professional Specification Sheets from CMS, available here, have more information on the public health reporting measures.