Meaningful Use AttestationReview for Hospitals

“That when the sea was calm all boats alikeshow'd mastership in floating;”

W. Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Coriolanus

Goals

Problems, Risks

Common Issues

Recommendations

Q & A

Problems & Risks

Failing MU attestation Significant implications – financial, legal, operational Remediation challenging, time consuming Meeting MU objectives “all or none”

MU requirements complex CMS & ONC Final Rules (CFR) > 300 pages MU specification sheets frequently refer to CFR Ancillary references often combine EH & EP information Mobius strip versus learning curve

Problems & Risks

Approval Process MU data = Honor System Eligibility confirmation – CCN, OIG Exclusions, PECOS #, etc. Medicare Administrative Contractor review; CAH submit

expenses Payment File Development Contractor

Audits Process not well defined under HITECH Attestation + Payment ≠ Withstand Audit CMS entitled to recoup payment

Common Issues

Misunderstanding of Core & Menu objectives Objectives requiring a YES/NO response (silent failures) Core Obj. #13 - “Capability to exchange key clinical

information..” Menu Obj. #8 - “Capability to submit electronic data to

immunization registries...”

Borderline metrics CPOE, Problem List Work flow adjustments, bylaws

Underestimate time & resources needed 90 day reporting period = last quarter of FFY = zero margin CQMs, manual abstraction

Common Issues

Failure to utilize team approach Combination of clinical, IT & administrative Personnel changes

Payment CAH – attest, submit expenses to MAC Administrative housekeeping – TIN, CCN, PECOS, etc.

Vendors MU reporting – suboptimal, time-consuming Bolt on functionality

Recommendations - generalized Review all Stage 1 MU specification sheets

Exclusions, Definitions Additional Information – the “fine print” Resolve issues before hitting SUBMIT.

Use worksheet provided by CMS Hospital_Attestation_Worksheet.pdf http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/Downloads/

Do practice attestation http://cms.gov/apps/ehr

Recommendations - generalized Print and retain copies of MU & CQM reports

must retain copies for six (6) years

Incorrect attestation Acuity level - ? transcription error, multiple mistakes,

etc. Fix the problem – “good faith” Leverage your resources – internal, external EHR Information Center 1-888-734-6433, TTY 1-888-734-

6563. 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM (Central Time) Monday through Friday

Q & A

?Barry Little, M.D.Physician Advisor

Kentucky Regional Extension Center859+323-3092

barry.little@uky.edu