Meaningful Use Stages 2 and 3 in the works

JMcDaniel - 09/21/2010

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The Health IT Policy Committe - the federal advisory committee responsible for making recommendations to the National Coordinator for Health IT - is meeting Wednesday (9/22) to beging drafting requirements for Stages 2 and 3 of Meaningful Use, as reported by Healthcare IT News. Eligible health care providers will need to meet Stage 2 requirements by 2012 to qualify for EMR incentives.

While the committee's recommendations should be a good indication of what the final Stage requirements will be, they are by no means definite; the Department of Health and Human Services is not required to follow the recommendations. Some people are expressing concern that the Stage 2 requirements will not be defined in enough time to allow vendors' products to meet federal requirements.

The Healthcare IT News articles mentions Regional Extension Centers as on the front line.  It would be interesting to hear from people if they have used a REC or are planning to use a REC?  The RECs must eventually find a revenue model.  Do people think that the Stage 2 and 3 definitions will create increased need of REC services that physicians will be willing to pay extra for?

How concerned are you that Stage 2 is being implemented too soon? As a healthcare organization, what role are consultants playing in helping you meet Stage 1 requirements, and are you planning the same strategy for Stages 2 and 3? Likewise, as a consultant, are you employing the same strategy for your clients for these later Stages?