Attest by February 28 to Get Paid for 2012

Eligible professionals (EPs) who participated in the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program in 2012 must complete attestation for the 2012 program year by February 28, 2013. In order to be eligible to attest you must have completed your 2012 reporting period by December 31, 2012.

CMS encourages Medicare EPs to register and attest as soon as possible to resolve any potential issues that may delay their payment.

Medicaid EPs should check with their State for their attestation deadline.

Resources from CMS
CMS has several resources located on the EHR Incentive Programs website to help EPs properly meet meaningful use and attest, including:

• A Registration & Attestation page that includes information on registration and attestation, and links to additional resources.
• The Meaningful Use Attestation Calculator, which allows EPs and eligible hospitals to determine if they have met the Stage 1 meaningful use guidelines before they attest in the system.
• The Attestation User Guide for Medicare Eligible Professionals, providing step-by-step guidance for EPs participating in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program on navigating the attestation system.
• The Attestation Worksheet for Eligible Professionals, allowing users to enter their meaningful use measure values, creating a quick reference tool to use while attesting.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

There will be a webinar to help understand how to maximize opportunities to participate in the ND Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at 1:00 pm CT.  Click here to register for the webinar.

The final rule for the Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Program (42 CFR Parts 412, 413, and 495) and Health Information Technology: Initial Set of Standards, Specification and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Records Technology (45CFR Part 170) has been published in the federal register.

Additional resources can be found at the CMS Stage 2 website.

CMS is hosting another webinar on the EHR Incentive Program on Wednesday, August 1, 2012, 12:30 CDT.

Follow the steps below to join the webinar:

1. If possible, prior to August 1, view the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Attestation Webinar for EPs or EHs by scrolling down to Attestation Information.
2. Make a list of your EHR incentive program attestation questions to ask during the Q&A session on the live webinar.  If you prefer, you may submit questions in advance to – Adra Mayberry at adra.mayberry@cms.hhs.gov please use “August 1 EHR Webinar” in the subject line of your email.  Advance questions should be submitted to Adra no later than COB Monday, 7/30/12.
3. Join the live webinar on August 1 by clicking on this link,  https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/attestation/ and dialing 877-267-1577 and entering Meeting ID 3206.

Congratulations to St. Andrew’s Health Center in Bottineau for completeing stage one of Meaningful Use and receiving Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Payment

Go to the Bottineau Courant and Lake Metigoshe Mirror for more information.