"These regulations are closely linked," said Charlene Frizzera, CMS acting administrator, in the same release. "CMS's proposed regulation would define how to demonstrate 'meaningful use' of EHR technology, which is a prerequisite for receiving the Medicare incentive payments. Our rule also outlines the proposed payment methodologies for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs. ONC's regulation sets forth the standards and specifications that will enhance the interoperability, functionality, utility and security of health information technology."

There are 60-day public comment periods on the ONC IFR and the CMS proposed rule. The final rules will be issued sometime in 2010.


Read more:

The CMS press release: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/12/20091230a.html

The CMS proposed rule may be viewed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Recovery/11_HealthIT.asp

The ONC IFR can be accessed through: http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt?open=512&objID=1153&mode=2

Comments may be submitted electronically by accessing http://www.regulations.gov and following the instructions on the home page.

Comments can also be submitted by regular mail to:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services,
Department of Health and Human Services,
Attention: CMS-0033-P
P.O. Box 8013
Baltimore, MD 21244-8013



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