Proposed rulemaking issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on December 30, 2009 include Electronic Health Records (EHR) "meaningful use" definitions associated with physician eligibility for ARRA incentives. As meaningful use criteria are finalized, it is apparent that eligible physicians (EPs) will be expected to incorporate patient-centered IT solutions in order to qualify for stimulus funds.
• Send reminders to patients per patient preference for preventive/follow up care, measured by sending reminders to at least 50% of all unique patients seen by the EP that are 50 or over.
• Provide patients with an electronic copy of their health information (including diagnostic test results, problem list, medication lists, and allergies) upon request, providing electronic copies to at least 80% of all patients who request an electronic copy of their health information within 48 hours.
• Provide patients with timely electronic access to their health information (including lab results, problem list, medication lists, and allergies) within 96 hours of the information being available to the EP. At least 10% of all unique patients seen by the EP should be provided with timely access to their health information.
• Provide clinical summaries for patients for each office visit, with clinical summaries provided for at least 80% of all office visits.
