Instructions for Medicare Meaningful Use Program

Here’s what you need to know about meeting the Medicare Meaningful Use Program requirements.

Click here to learn more about the penalties for non-participation and hardship exemptions. 

  

What can I do now?

Step 1:  Select and adopt a certified EHR
Step 2:  Meet the meaningful use criteria 
Step 3:  Register for the Medicare Provider Enrollment, Chain, and Ownership System (PECOS)
Step 4:  Register at the CMS Registration and Attestation Portal     

What can I do later?

Step 5:  Obtain EHR certification code 
Step 6:  Complete reporting and attestation

 


Step 1: Select and adopt a certified EHR

The Medicare EHR Incentive Program requires the use of a certified EHR. The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) maintains the Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL), a current list of all certified EHR products.  Even if your current product has met previous certifications, be sure your current version is listed.

Find out how to select and implement an EHR with the help of TMA resources.

If you need help finding or selecting an EHR system, you may benefit from technical consulting services from the Texas Regional Extension Centers (RECs). The RECs are vendor neutral and can help you find a system that fits the needs and budget of your practice.    


Step 2: Meet the meaningful use criteria

The Medicare EHR Incentive Program requires each physician to meet meaningful use criteria for 90 continuous days in 2016. You should have begun reporting no later than Oct. 3, 2016 in order to meet the attestation deadline of March 13, 2017 for penalty prevention. Attestation is allowed once the 90-days are completed, but must be completed by March 13, 2017.   

On Jan. 1, 2017, physicians should have begun participating in the MACRA program.

Other helpful resources: 

For more information on meaningful use, listen to the CMS webinar
   

Step 3: Register for PECOS

To qualify for Medicare incentives, you must be enrolled in the Provider Enrollment Chain and Ownership System (PECOS).  It is possible for you to be actively billing Medicare and not be enrolled in the PECOS system. If you have not enrolled, visit the PECOS website to create an account.  Questions? View PECOS contact information.  

There are several ways you can verify enrollment in PECOS.  

  1. Use the TMA PECOS Lookup Tool based on the CMS data file that is updated weekly.
  2. Use the online PECOS system to look for your enrollment record.  If no record is displayed, you do not have an enrollment record in PECOS.  
    If you have trouble accessing your information, contact PECOS directly.  
  3. Contact Texas' Medicare contractor Novitas at 855-252-8782. 


Step 4: Register at the  CMS Registration and Attestation website 

 Log in to the site using your National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) web user account.  If you do not already have an NPPES account, visit the NPPES website to register. (Note: If you have an NPI number, you automatically have an NPPES account.)  If you do not have your password, call (866) 484-8049 and select option #6 to have your password reset or e-mail customerservice[at]npienumerator[dot]com.

 CMS has a Registration User’s Guide (PDF) for the registration and attestation system.  

 Before you can proceed with the attestation process, you will be prompted for a certification ID. This number is a unique identifier assigned to each certified EHR (see step 5).  


Step 5: Visit the  Certified Health IT Product List  (CHPL) to obtain your unique CMS EHR Certification ID 

Choose your EHR, add to cart and press “Get CMS EHR Certification ID.” For more detailed instructions, click here and view the instructions under the "Using the CHPL Website" heading.  


Step 6: Complete reporting and attestation

Once you have successfully completed 90 days of meaningful use, log back on to the CMS Registration and Attestation website to enter attestation data. View the Attestation User Guide for details on how to attest. If you have not successfully met each required measure, you will be required to resubmit.   


Need on-site technical consulting help to get you to meaningful use? You don’t have to go on this journey alone. The Texas Regional Extension Centers (REC) can offer assistance if you are looking to select and implement an EHR in your practice, or if you are an existing EHR user looking to optimize your workflow and reach meaningful use.  


Call CMS at (888) 734-6433 to find out registration and attestation status.

For more information on the EHR Incentive program contact the Texas Medical Association’s Department of Health Information Technology at (800) 880-5720 or hit[at]texmed[dot]org.

Last Updated On

February 08, 2017

Originally Published On

February 24, 2011