Beginning in 2011, the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs were established to encourage eligible professionals and eligible hospitals to adopt, implement, upgrade (AIU), and demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology. The EHR Incentive Program is now only available for Medicaid participants.
If you did not enter the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program by 2016, you cannot participate.
The Medicare EHR Incentive Program is no longer available. Eligible Medicare participants have moved on to the MACRA program.
INSTRUCTION GUIDE: Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
2020 OBJECTIVES AND MEASURES2020 Promoting Interoperability Objectives and Measures - CMS
*Note: In 2020 the EHR reporting period is a minimum of any continuous 90 days between January 1 and December 31, 2020.
CLINICAL QUALITY MEASURES:Reporting Requirements for 2019 (CMS)
Note: CQMs are required for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program and can be reported via attestation or electronically. A full year of reporting is required.
CLINICAL SUMMARY:Required Information for Meaningful Use (Action, 2011)
PATIENT ONLINE ACCESS TO MEDICAL RECORDS:Patient Access to Their Health Info: HIPAA, Meaningful Use (E-Tips, 2016)How to Meet Mandate for Patients’ Online Access to Medical Records (Action, 2015)
PUBLIC HEALTH MEASURES: Public Health Reporting Options - DSHS
SECURITY RISK ANALYSIS: Top 10 Myths of Security Risk Analysis - HealthIT.govSecurity Risk Analysis Tipsheet: Protect Patients' Health Information - CMS CyberCompass™ - Security risk analysis and HIPAA compliance software (TMA Group Discount Program vendor)Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Tool - HealthIT.gov
SYNDROMIC SURVEILLANCE DATA:Guidelines for Submitting Syndromic Surveillance Data in Texas for Meaningful Use - Texas DSHS
REGISTRATION AND ATTESTATION: Steps for Individual Enrollment in the Texas Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Portal
The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) contracts with an independent audit firm to conduct audits of Texas Medicaid EHR Incentive/PI Program payments. HHSC could audit you in the future. Here are some things to know to prepare your practice.
Articles and Resources:
Audit and Review Process (HHSC)
Tips From TMA to Help You Survive a Meaningful Use Audit (Action, 2016)
Attestation Documentation Guidance - CMS
Audits Overview - CMS
Security Risk Assessment (SRA) Tool - ONC
Electronic Patient Engagement Tools: A Guide for Physicians - TMA whitepaper, 2016
How to Meet Mandate for Patients’ Online Access to Medical Records (Action, 2015)
Enhancing Patient-Centered Communication and Collaboration by Using the EHR in the Exam Room - The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) 2013
Personal Health Records: What Physicians Need to Know - TMA whitepaper, 2008
Here are the latest comment letters from TMA on the Meaningful Use Program:
TMA, AMA Letter Asking CMS to Defer Implementation of the 2015 Edition of Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) (Feb. 27, 2017)
Letter from Tom Garcia, MD to Senator John Cornyn regarding the Meaningful Use Program (Nov. 2, 2015)
Letter from Matt Murray, MD, regarding TMA Advocacy on the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan 2015 - 2020
TMA Comment Letter to CMS Regarding Modifications to Meaningful Use During 2015 to 2017 Program Years (June 15, 2015)
Learn More About Advocacy Efforts
Read the most recent articles on the EHR Incentive Program.
Security Risk Assessment for HIPAA — and Medicare/Medicaid? (E-Tips, 2017)
New Form Required for All Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Participants (Action, 2017)
Year-End Checklist for Meaningful Use (Action, 2016)
Get Started on Your HIPAA Security Risk Assessment (Action, 2016)
Check Your Meaningful Use Data (Action, 2016)
TMA Resource: Electronic Patient Engagement Tools (Action, 2016)
Tips for Acing a Meaningful Use Audit (E-Tips, 2015)
Read More Articles
Got Medicaid EHR Incentive Program questions? Call or email the HIT Helpline.
TMA Practice ConsultingOur consultants can perform a variety of services to meet your unique needs. Whether you are a solo practitioner in a rural area or a member of a 50-physician group, our staff can help.
Regional Extension Centers (RECs) in Texas have been supporting physicians since 2009 with individualized on-site services, technical assistance, and ongoing support to select, implement or upgrade EHRs and guidance to meaningful use.
Go to TMA's EHR Resource Center to find out what you need to know about EHRs.
TMA's Technology Courses
Medscape's EHR Learning Center website