CHIME, AMDIS Respond to MU Stage 2 Modification Rule

Joint Statement from CHIME and AMDIS in Response to Stage 2 Modification Rule

ANN AROBOR, MI, April 10, 2015 – This afternoon the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) proposed a regulation that would give providers the option of demonstrating Meaningful Use (MU) through a shortened reporting period in 2015.

CHIME and AMDIS applaud these modifications as they will help hundreds of thousands of providers meet Stage 2 requirements in an effective and safe manner in 2015. The ability for providers to demonstrate MU through a shortened reporting period will keep them engaged in the program and position our industry to continue the momentum towards the goals of enhanced care coordination and interoperability.

The adjustment to the patient access measure to “equal to or greater than one [percent]” down from five percent was a welcome adjustment from CMS.

We are disappointed, however, by a missed opportunity to remove the largest remaining barrier to long-term programmatic success: namely, the need to address the program’s “pass/fail” construct. Now that we are well into the penalty phase of the program, we do not believe providers who make good-faith efforts should be penalized for missing 1 percent on one threshold. Rather, policymakers should acknowledge providers who invest resources to become meaningful users, but fall short of perfection, by limiting penalties to those providers who clearly did not make the effort.

Contact:
Stephanie Fraser
Director of Communications and Corporate Relations
734-665-0000
[email protected]