CMS Finalizes Rule Allowing More Flexibility in EHR Meaningful Use Requirements

​The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a final rule allowing hospitals and eligible professionals more flexibility in how they meet meaningful-use requirements for the electronic health-record (EHR) incentive program, states an August 29, 2014, CMS press release. The rule, which was finalized without changes from its initial proposal, allows eligible providers to use the 2011 edition certified EHR technology or a combination of the 2011 and 2014 edition certified EHR technology for an EHR reporting period in 2014 for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. The rule also finalizes the extension of Stage 2 through 2016 for certain providers and announces the Stage 3 timeline, which will begin in 2017 for providers who first became meaningful EHR users in 2011 or 2012.