The Office of the National Coordinator Answers Meaningful Use Questions

The Office of the National Coordinator posted a set of frequently asked questions to help health care providers understand and meet requirements for the meaningful use rule. The 20 questions and answers cover topics ranging from reporting clinical quality measures to certification of electronic health records (EHRs). Most of the questions address scenarios in which providers already use EHRs or modules to report data and what steps providers need to take to ensure they meet meaningful use. CMS, which released the meaningful use final rule in July, has said it will open registration for the incentive program in January. First payments to eligible physicians and hospitals could go out as early as May 2011. To begin receiving payments, healthcare providers must demonstrated meaningful use of certified EHRs for 90 days. To view the questions and answers go to: http://healthit.hhs.gov/portal/server.pt/community/onc_regulations_faqs/3163