CMS Proposes Broad Overhaul to Streamline EHR Processes, Cut Redundancies

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued proposed policy changes to overhaul a variety of processes, aiming to make it easier for patients to access their electronic health record (EHR) and for healthcare providers to spend more time with patients, according to an April 24, 2018, CMS news release. The proposal would change the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs, also known as the "Meaningful Use" program, renaming the program "Promoting Interoperability" to indicate a shift in focus. Nineteen of the reporting measures from the inpatient quality reporting program that are considered "unnecessary, redundant, and process-driven" would be cut, and another 21 measures would be reduced from multiple programs to just one program, in order to reduce redundancies.